Study on the formation mechanism of the digital health information divide and capital-driven pathways among the older adults
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND Artificial intelligence and digital health services have expanded access to health information, yet older adults remain vulnerable to a digital health information divide due to unequal digital literacy, resource access, social support, and psychological readiness. However, the multi-capital mechanisms underlying this divide remain insufficiently explained. OBJECTIVE Grounded in structural poverty theory and Wilson’s information behavior model, this study examines how economic, cultural, social, political, and psychological capital shape older adults’ health information behavior and contribute to the digital health information divide. METHODS Questionnaire data were collected on older adults’ demographic characteristics, five forms of structural capital, and thirteen information behavior variables. A Bayesian network model was used to identify inter-capital relationships, behavioral pathways, and key nodes within the information behavior chain. RESULTS Different forms of capital affected health information behavior through direct, indirect, and cross-capital pathways. Cultural capital occupied a central position, improving self-efficacy and information source evaluation while promoting active and continuous information seeking through the accumulation of social and political capital. Psychological capital mediated multiple pathways and strengthened the transformation of capital into behavior. Social and political capital provided interpersonal support and institutional safeguards, whereas economic capital mainly influenced access and channel diversification indirectly. Accordingly, governance should combine capital empowerment, pathway-based precision intervention, and institutionalized long-term support. CONCLUSIONS This study constructs a network-based framework linking multi-capital, behavioral pathways, and divide risk, offering theoretical and practical guidance for improving older adults’ digital health literacy and reducing the health information divide.
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
Authors: Xiaowen Yang, Biao Wang, Mai Xu, Haibo Chen, Li Huang, Haoxiang Wang, Wanchao Chen, Qinhui Fan, Xiaoning Yu, Shenzhong Zhang, Sipeng Shen, Huiling Pan
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Funder: Nanjing Medical University
OpenAlex ID: W7169553535