Online opportunities for health promotion and disease management among older adults

Background: The Internet is an increasingly important source of health information for diverse populations. Nonetheless, disparities in access to online health information persist, such that younger, more affluent, more highly educated Whites tend to be better connected than older, poorer, less well-educated members of racial and ethnic minorities. This study focused on Harlem adults aged 45 years and older to understand more about online opportunities for health promotion and disease management by age group. Methods: Demographic characteristics, health status, computer use, Internet access, and online health information seeking of adults in Harlem, New York City were assessed via a random digit dial landline telephone survey and examined for three age groups: 45-54 years, 55-64 years, and 65 years and older. Online health seeking activities for health promotion and disease management were documented. Trends were examined by age group. Results: Important trends were evident by age group, such that adults aged 45-54 years were more likely than adults aged 55-64 years, who in turn were more likely than adults aged 65 years and older to use a computer (81.4%, 72.2%, and 34.0%, p<0.01) and the Internet (65.7%, 48.6%, 20.0%, p<0.01). More adults were using the Internet for health promotion than for disease management purposes. Conclusions: As the US population ages, the Internet presents an opportunity to engage directly with adults around health promotion to prevent disease, even in disadvantaged communities. Engaging communities in developing, implementing, and evaluating website health interventions may yield trusted and culturally relevant health information with broad reach.