title: Has the Digital Health Divide Widened? Trends of Health-Related Internet Use Among Older Adults From 2003 to 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the trend of health-related Internet use (HRIU) among older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data from the 2003, 2005, and 2011-2012 iterations of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). HRIU was measured by 4 online behaviors: seeking health information, buying medicine, connecting with people with similar health problems, and communicating with doctors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Internet use and HRIU among older adults increased substantially from 2003 to 2011 with more significant increases in seeking health information and communicating with doctors online. Overall, the digital health divide between different demographic groups has narrowed, especially in terms of gender, racial/ethnic group, rural/urban residence, and various health statuses; however, age, education, and household income remain persistent predictors of the digital divide. Those in the oldest group (75 or older), those with less than a high school education, and those with very low income (<$25,000/year) continuously lagged behind their counterparts in all aspects of HRIU.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite an overall increase in HRIU and a narrowed digital divide, significant variations in HRIU in different demographic groups persisted; therefore, we call for more senior-friendly online resources and culturally appropriate interventions to bridge the digital health divide for vulnerable older adults.
authors: Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station.
authors: Y Alicia
authors: YA
authors: Hong
authors: Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station.|Center for Applied Health Research, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas.
authors: Jinmyoung
authors: J
authors: Cho
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D066310:Digital Divide; D005260:Female; D055991:Health Records, Personal / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008509:Medication Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D054547:National Cancer Institute (U.S.); D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014481:United States; D014600:Utilization Review
keywords: Digital divide; Health-related Internet use; Older adults