Study suggests U.S. seniors rarely use internet to address healthcare needs

While accessing healthcare data is easier than ever, research from the National Health and Aging Trends Study suggests people 65 years old and above avoid using the internet to address their health issues, as reported on Science Daily.

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David Levine, MD, examined trends in senior citizens’ use of digital health technology using the NHATS survey data. His findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Levin found that 76 percent of senior citizens use cellphones, and 64 percent use computers, but only 43 percent used the internet and only 40 percent texted or sent email. Additionally, only 20 percent shop or bank online or use social media sites.

Dr. Levin found when looking at healthcare that only 5 to 8 percent of surveyed seniors use technology for health-related purposes, like filling prescriptions or communicating with physicians or insurers.

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