Global Factors Impacting eHealth Literacy Uncovered
International, Tuesday, 11 March 2025.
A systematic review reveals the global determinants of eHealth literacy, emphasizing age, income, and education as influential. Key insights guide digital health strategies.
Key Determinants Across Demographics
A comprehensive meta-analysis of 17 studies has identified three crucial dimensions affecting eHealth literacy worldwide. The research, published on March 10, 2025, reveals that internet usage (β=0.14), education level (β=0.154), and income status (β=0.206) show significant positive correlations with eHealth literacy levels [1]. Age emerged as a notable factor, with older adults demonstrating lower eHealth literacy scores (β=−0.042) [1].
Cultural and Regional Variations
Cross-cultural analysis between the European Union and Japan has unveiled distinct patterns in eHealth literacy determinants. Depression shows a stronger negative association with eHealth literacy in EU populations (β=−0.54) compared to Japanese counterparts (β=−0.24) [2]. Notably, leisure activities significantly boost eHealth literacy scores in European contexts (β=0.55) but show no substantial impact in Japanese populations [2], highlighting the importance of culturally tailored digital health interventions.
Implementation and Future Directions
The findings carry significant implications for healthcare providers and policymakers. With JMIR maintaining its position as a leading voice in digital health research (Impact Factor: 5.8 as of 2024) [3], these insights are crucial for developing targeted interventions. Healthcare systems must address both technical and social determinants, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations where employment status (β=−1.629) and disease conditions (β=−0.177) significantly impact eHealth literacy [1].