RT Journal Article
T1 The persistence of digital divides in the use of health information: a comparative study in 28 European countries
A1 Álvarez Gálvez, Javier
A1 Salinas Pérez, José A.
A1 Montagni, Ilaria
A1 Salvador Carulla, Luis
AB Objectives This study aimed to identify which are the socio-demographic factors that can describe health information users’ profiles in Europe and assess which are the factors distinguishing users and non-users and their association with the use of health-related online information. Methods Data from the Flash Eurobarometer No. 404 (2014) was analysed through a multilevel logistic regression model and a propensity score matching. Results There were significant differences in the use of the Internet for health information according to gender, age, education, long-term illness and health-related knowledge. Thus, some digital divides persisted in the use of health information online. Results showed that a poor health status was associated with a higher use of the Internet for health purposes only for people having chronic conditions.Conclusions Findings show a need to increase people’s eHealth literacy, especially for males over 45 years old not suffering from a long-term illness. In order to limit the misuse of poor or untrustworthy health information that might contribute to higher health disparities, special interest should be focused on population socio-demographic characteristics.
PB Springer Basel
SN 1661-8556
YR 2020
FD 2020-04
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/6145
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/6145
LA eng
NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 10 abr 2025