The impact of digital technology on health inequality: evidence from China

Background: With the rapid development of digital technology, it is crucial to explore at the individual microlevel whether digital technology can reduce health inequality and discuss potential transmission mechanisms.

Methods: This study uses data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2020) and the ordinary least squares (OLS) method to estimate the impact of digital technology on health inequality. This work then discusses the potential transmission mechanisms through which digital technology influences health inequality. Finally, it analyses the heterogeneity effects of digital technology on health inequality across different groups.

Results: We find that digital technology has reduced both physical and mental health inequality. Strengthening family support, enhancing health investment, and improving health behaviours are the transmission paths from digital technology to health inequality. Groups with older cohorts, females, less-educated individuals, low-income individuals, and rural individuals benefit more from physical health inequality, whereas the impact of digital technology on mental health inequality does not differ across groups.

Conclusion: Digital technology has a significant impact on reducing both physical and mental health inequality, with particularly notable benefits for vulnerable populations. It is imperative to focus more on the targeted effects of digital technology on these marginalized groups.