141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

279701
Vision impairment and the use of health information technology

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 12:50 PM - 1:10 PM

Chiu-Fang Chou, Dr PH , The Vision Health Initiative, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/The DB Consulting, Atlanta, GA
Kai Bullard, PhD , Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
John E. Crews, DPA , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Jinan B. Saaddine, MD, MPH , National Vision Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Objective: To examine the association of vision impairment (VI) and the use of health information technology (HIT) among U.S. adults.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2009 and 2011 National Health Interview Surveys (60,745 respondents aged ≥18 years). HIT use was defined as using the internet for: 1) searching for health information or 2) other health-related reasons, such as setting appointments or communicating with health care providers. VI was defined as having trouble seeing or blindness. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine how VI and HIT use are related, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, household income, insurance coverage, and self-assessed health status.

Results: Among U.S. adult, the adjusted prevalence of any HIT use was higher for those with VI (50.4%) than for those without (47.7%; p=0.002). The prevalence of HIT use among adults with/without VI varied by age: 18-44 (VI, 67.6%; no VI, 57.5%; p<0.001); 45-64 (VI, 48.1%; no VI, 46.7%; p<0.001); 65-74 (VI, 34.5%; no VI, 35.6%; p<0.001); and ≥75 (VI, 12.8%; no VI, 18.0%; p<0.001). The adjusted ORs (CI) for any HIT use associated with VI (reference: no VI) for ages 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, and ≥75 were: 1.63 (1.36-1.96); 1.18 (1.04-1.33); 1.14 (0.90-1.45); and 0.78 (0.56-1.02).

Conclusions: In the United States, VI is associated with HIT use. Regardless of VI status, HIT use is common among younger adults than older adults. Those aged 18-64 years with VI were more likely to use HIT than their counterparts without VI, underscoring the potential for targeted HIT-related interventions.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate the use of health information technology (HIT) and the association of vision impairment (VI) and among U.S. adults.

Keywords: Vision Care, Health Information

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author on the content I am responsible for the design and analyses of this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.