Publication · Computers, Informatics, Nursing · 2023
Most adults use digital health tools and will share their data, but with whom and how varies in ways that matter for equity.
We looked at the factors associated with U.S. adults using health apps and devices, and with their willingness to share health information with doctors, family, or on social media. This helps designers build digital health tools that people actually trust and use.
Using a national survey, this study examined how common digital health use is and what factors are associated with it. More than two-thirds of adults used a digital resource for health, about 81% were willing to share their data with a provider, 75% with family, and 58% with friends, but only 14% on social media.
Willingness varied with factors like gender, education, device type, and how useful people found digital health, as well as rurality, patient-portal access, income, and chronic disease, with notable differences for Asian American and Pacific Islander adults.
Most adults already use digital tools for their health.
People share far more with providers and family than online.
Access and willingness differ across groups.