Helen Levy|Alexander T. Janke|Kenneth M. Langa
Health Literacy and the Digital Divide Among Older Americans
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|Wayne State University|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
among requirements meaningful use electronic medical records emrs patients must able interact online information records however many older americans may unprepared particularly low levels health literacy purpose study quantify relationship health literacy use internet obtaining health information among americans aged 65 older performed retrospective analysis 2009 2010 data health retirement study longitudinal survey nationally representative sample older americans subjects communitydwelling adults aged 65 years older 824 individuals general population 1584 internet users analysis included measures regular use internet purpose use internet obtain health medical information health literacy measured using rapid estimate adult literacy medicinerevised realmr selfreported confidence filling medical forms 97 elderly individuals low health literacy used internet obtain health information compared 319 adequate health literacy gradient persisted controlling sociodemographic characteristics health status general cognitive ability gradient arose individuals low health literacy less likely use internet 036 95 ci 024 054 among use internet individuals low health literacy less likely use get health medical information 060 95 ci 047 077 low health literacy associated significantly less use internet health information among americans aged 65 older webbased health interventions targeting older adults must address barriers substantive use individuals low health literacy risk exacerbating digital divide