The digitalization of healthcare and the increasing reliance on online platforms for accessing medical information may leave older and vulnerable individuals behind, warns a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO). The survey reveals that many European Union (EU) countries are falling short in assisting patients in understanding and accessing health information digitally.
The WHO survey underscores a critical gap, with fewer than half of EU member states having digital education and inclusion plans in place to support citizens in comprehending complex health information on digital platforms.
The landscape of healthcare is rapidly evolving as patients increasingly rely on digital platforms and applications to access sensitive health data. This shift gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for digital health literacy.
While acknowledging the benefits of digital health tools and interventions, especially for older individuals and rural communities, Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, expressed concern about the potential exclusion of those with limited or no digital skills. He stated, “It is a sad irony that people with limited or no digital skills are often the ones who stand to gain the most from digital health tools and interventions – like older persons or rural communities.”
Dr. Kluge emphasized that access to digital health tools is only valuable when individuals possess the necessary skills to utilize them effectively, underscoring the importance of digital health literacy.
The WHO has called upon European countries to take proactive steps in facilitating access to health information for older and vulnerable individuals as healthcare information becomes increasingly digital. The proposed measures include digital literacy training, enhancing broadband accessibility, improving data accessibility, and providing support tailored to the elderly population.
As the digital transformation of healthcare progresses, addressing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to health information is essential to safeguard the well-being of all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable among us.
