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Activating health behaviors: how does digital infrastructure improve the physical health of middle-aged and older adults? Evidence from the ‘Broadband China’ pilot policy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The rapid development of digital infrastructure has the potential to affect public health, particularly among middle-aged and older adults. However, the causal relationship between digital infrastructure and physical health remains underexplored, especially in non-Western contexts. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the causal effect of digital infrastructure development on the physical health of middle-aged and older adults in China, using panel data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011-2020) and a DID approach based on the Broadband China pilot policy. METHODS: We construct a quasi-natural experiment using the Broadband China policy to examine its impact on physical health. The DID model analyzes health outcomes before and after the policy, focusing on physical health and health-related expenditures. Subgroup analyses are conducted by age and education. RESULTS: The findings show that (1) Digital infrastructure is associated with modest improvements in physical health, reflected in a small reduction in activity limitations; (2) Health behaviors - such as slightly increased physical exercise and marginally higher health-related spending - partially mediate these effects; (3) The relative benefits are more pronounced among older adults and those with lower education; (4) Digital infrastructure may help partially reduce health inequalities, particularly among individuals with poorer baseline health. CONCLUSION: Digital infrastructure is associated with modest improvements in physical health among middle-aged and older adults, partly through promoting healthier behaviors. It may contribute to reducing health disparities and offer policy implications for enhancing health equity, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Source: Global Health Action

DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2568779

Authors: Zhiying Li, Yunhui Wang, Longhua Zheng, Hong Xu

Institutions: University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Sichuan University, Shandong University of Finance and Economics

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,509