Sociodemographic Factors Associated with the Utilization of Digital Health Technologies Among Informal Caregivers: A Nationwide Study in the USA, 2022

Background: Informal caregivers can leverage digital health technologies to support their own health while also assisting patients, particularly those with mental or physical challenges. This study investigated the sociodemographic factors associated with the use of digital health technology among informal caregivers.

Methods: Data from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) were examined for this cross-sectional study. The survey identified key outcomes related to the use of online medical records, health apps, digital wearable health devices, and the digital sharing of health information with professionals, on social media, or with others facing similar health issues. Sociodemographic factors (gender, race/ethnicity, feelings of one's household income, education, and census division) were also analyzed. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were employed. A total of 831 individuals were included, representing about 36,960,385 national informal caregivers in 2022.

Results: Caregivers with a high school education or less (vs. those with at least some college education) and non-Hispanic Black caregivers (vs. non-Hispanic White caregivers) were significantly less likely to be offered access to online medical records by their healthcare providers. Additionally, online medical record usage was lower among caregivers with high school education or less, but higher among caregivers aged 50-64 (vs. those aged 35-49). Caregivers with a high school education or less were less likely to use health apps and digital wearable health devices, but more likely to share personal health information on social media. Men caregivers, those aged 50-64 and over 65 (vs. the 35-49 age group), and caregivers who were dissatisfied with their income were less likely to use digital wearable health devices.

Conclusions: The findings underscore disparities in the utilization of caregivers' digital health technology, particularly in digital wearable health devices. Recognizing and addressing these disparities are crucial for tailoring interventions to enhance equitable access to digital health technology among diverse informal caregiver populations.