To assess socioeconomic disparities in access to health-related digital devices among older adults in China.
Approach:
Study Design: A national cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2023 wave of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), involving 9,960 respondents aged ≥60 years.
Data Collection: Data were collected from 28 provincial-level regions in mainland China, with a stratified and multistage sampling framework.
Outcome Measurement: Access to or use of health-related digital devices was measured using a binary proxy based on online health management activities and ownership of specific health-related devices.
Statistical Analysis: Prevalence was calculated, and socioeconomic inequality was assessed using the Erreygers-corrected concentration index (ECI), which was statistically decomposed by various characteristics.
Key Findings:
Older adults in China face significant socioeconomic disparities in access to health-related digital devices.
The study identified pronounced socioeconomic gradients in device access and use among older adults.
Digital inclusion is influenced by socioeconomic status, geographic location, and available social support.
Limitations:
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.
Selection bias may affect the generalizability of the findings due to differences between included and excluded respondents.
In adults diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension within the previous year, adding sotatercept to background therapy reduced the risk of clinical worsening events by 76% compared with placebo.
