Review: E-Health for healthy aging: Past, present, future

The use of computers, the Internet, and mobile technology (e-Health) for health care communication and health promotion holds great promise for improving health outcomes. However, little is known about the efficacy and effectiveness of e-Health approaches with elderly populations.

Using data from Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), Pew Internet & American Life Project, and the US Census we examined temporal and geographic trends in technology adoption and use among US Adults. Preliminary results from HINTS 2007 shows that the Internet is the primary source for health-related information among elderly aged 65+ (31%), followed by health professionals (27%), books (16%), and brochures (7%). Cell phone remains the most common electronic device (68% of 66-74, 48% of 75+), followed by desktop computer (48% of 66-74, 28% of 75+). Using Pew Generation 2009 data, barriers to internet use among adults 65+ include lack of interest, no access to computer, difficult initiation, perception of wasting time, and feeling too old to learn. We also examined evidence in the peer reviewed literature as it relates to health communication in elderly populations in general, and for e-Health in particular. Center- or clinic-based studies with low sample sizes dominate the literature. Confounding factors such as association between race/ethnicity and e-Health use are under-studied. Adoption of e-Health devices in elderly has been shown, however, data on adherence are lacking due to insufficient longitudinal studies. We make recommendations for practice and further research.