The news: The majority of US adults ages 65+ struggle to manage their health because of low digital health literacy, according to a May CVS Health study.

• 91% of seniors reported at least one digital health literacy challenge that created what they considered was a moderate or significant problem.
• 56% of seniors with digital health literacy challenges say it has a negative effect on managing their healthcare.
• But despite those challenges, 86% are open to digital health engagement.

For context, digital health literacy is defined as the knowledge, access, ability, and confidence to use digital healthcare products and services to manage health.

Why it matters: Older adults’ lower digital health literacy and lower confidence in using digital health information and tools could have negative consequences on health management. Seven in 10 seniors were confused or uncertain when trying to navigate health information online, per CVS. Those disconnects can translate to missed care, difficulty accessing test results, confusion around insurance benefits and bills, and poor medication management.

Patient portals are a prime example of how low digital health literacy and use can worsen health. People with low portal literacy may be less likely to schedule screenings, track vaccinations, interpret lab results, and complete insurance forms than heavy portal users. Seniors less confident with digital tools may also be less likely to use them: while 61% of adults 50+ enroll in their portal, just 42% of those 65+ do, according to a January analysis in the American Journal of Managed Care.

Implications for healthcare systems and marketers: Low digital health literacy is limiting seniors’ adoption and effective use of digital health tools, even though many say they are interested in using them. Providers and marketers have an opportunity to improve seniors’ use of digital tools with step-by-step guidance, in-office demonstrations, and live phone support.

Caregivers are an equally important channel to educate seniors on digital health tools, as they often manage them on behalf of seniors and influence their care decisions. Healthcare organizations that design digital tools like telehealth appointments or prescription refill and delivery services with caregiver accessibility and support in mind will be better positioned to drive more engagement and loyalty, and ultimately better health outcomes.

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