Factors Associated With Digital Health Literacy in the United Kingdom: Cross-Sectional Online Survey - Report - MDSpire

Factors Associated With Digital Health Literacy in the United Kingdom: Cross-Sectional Online Survey

  • By

  • Holly Exton-Smith

  • Sara Sousi

  • Albandari Alharbi

  • Austen El-Osta

  • Geva Greenfield

  • Benedict Hayhoe

  • Azeem Majeed

  • Ana Luísa Neves

  • July 8, 2026

  • 0 min

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Determinants of Digital Health Literacy in the UK: A Cross-Sectional Online Study

Overview

This study investigates the determinants of digital health literacy (DHL) among individuals in the UK.

Background

Digital health is transforming healthcare delivery and access, making digital health literacy a critical public health issue. Understanding the factors influencing DHL is vital for ensuring equitable access to health information and services.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial results were provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • Digital health literacy is defined as the ability to search, find, understand, and evaluate health information from electronic resources.
  • Several tools, including the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), have been developed to measure DHL.
  • DHL is recognized as a significant determinant of health outcomes and a public health challenge.
  • Digital transformation in healthcare is a key focus of the NHS's 10 Year Health Plan for England.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should prioritize enhancing digital health literacy among patients to improve health outcomes. Understanding the determinants of DHL can inform strategies to support individuals in effectively using digital health resources.

Conclusion

The study highlights the significance of digital health literacy as a determinant of health.

Related Resources & Content

  1. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, 2025 -- Digital Health
  2. Good Things Foundation, 2020 -- Digital inclusion in health and care
  3. NHS England, 2025 -- Fit for the future: 10 year health plan for England
  4. CDC, 2024 -- Talking points about health literacy
  5. Estrela M et al., 2023 -- Sociodemographic determinants of digital health literacy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  6. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) — Measuring eHealth Literacy in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom: Scoping Review
  7. Journal of General Internal Medicine — The Effects of a Short Video Intervention on Digital Health Literacy Skills: An Online Randomised Controlled Trial
  8. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) — Development of a Digital Health Literacy Assessment Framework for Older Adults: Delphi-Based Study
  9. DIGITAL HEALTH — Latent profile analysis of digital health literacy among community-dwelling older adults and its influencing factors
  10. Digital Health EURO
  11. Frontiers | Enhancing patient knowledge and behaviour through digital health communication
  12. JMIR Formative Research - A Digital Inclusion Intervention to Improve Access to a Digital Health Intervention Among Digitally Excluded Adults: Mixed Methods Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
  13. Evaluating adult digital health literacy, 2020–2025: A systematic review | PLOS Digital Health

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