Most adults aged 50 to 80 in the United States are now using digital health technologies (DHTs), with patient portals leading adoption rates, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.

The analysis, based on data from over 2,100 participants and conducted by University of Michigan and Veteran Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, also revealed significant disparities in usage driven by race, income, education, and geography.

The study found 81 percent of older adults reported using at least one form of DHT, including telehealth services (49%) and mobile health apps (44%).

While younger participants in the 50 to 59 age range were more likely to adopt these tools than those aged 60 and older, gender also played a role, with women outpacing men in usage.

However, the findings also uncovered concerning racial and ethnic disparities: Just 11% of Black respondents and 12% of Hispanic respondents reported using DHTs, compared to 70% of white respondents.

Researchers attributed the gap to factors like medical mistrust, language barriers, and systemic inequities.

"Various factors may contribute to this finding, including medical mistrust among Black patients leading to decreased engagement with the health system and increased reliance on DHTs," the study noted.

Socioeconomic factors further shaped adoption patterns. Older adults with higher incomes and educational attainment were more likely to engage with digital health tools, while those with annual incomes below $60,000 showed significantly lower usage rates.

Urban residents were also ahead of their rural counterparts, where limited broadband access remains a challenge.

"This study highlights the need to carefully consider the unique characteristics of older adults when developing and deploying DHTs to avoid worsening the digital divide," the report noted.

The findings echo broader trends highlighted by the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted in 2o23, which documented a jump in patient portal usage to 78 percent in 2023 from 51 percent in 2018.

Despite this growth, the persistent digital divide in healthcare continues to raise questions about equitable healthcare access, particularly for underserved communities—something health systems including Michigan’s Henry Ford Health are looking to answer.

Addressing these gaps is critical for improving healthcare outcomes, with expanding access to DHTs helping empower older adults to take a more active role in managing their health, enhance preventative care, and support aging in place.

Digital tools including AI-powered care navigation platforms can also help providers guide senior patients through complex healthcare systems, improving access, utilization, and preventive care by addressing challenges such as isolation, transportation, and financial barriers.

A 2022 report in Translational Behavioral Medicine found that while older adults increasingly use digital health technologies to enhance care and self-management, ageist beliefs and practices have perpetuated a "digital health divide,".

The paper called for evidence-based strategies to promote inclusion in research, clinical practice, and training.

Nathan Eddy is a healthcare and technology freelancer based in Berlin.
Email the writer: nathaneddy@gmail.com
Twitter: @dropdeaded209