(WITHDRAWN) Use of Technology Among Older African Americans: Exploratory Findings from Nhats

Problem Statement:

Older racial and ethnic minorities are less likely than white to use certain technologies when managing their health (Mitchell et al., 2019). Given evidences that the internet access and other technologies can enhance the quality of life among older adults, disparities in technology use are still concerns among gerontologists. More research are needed to understand the patterns of health-related technology use across racially and socioeconomically diverse population, in particular, older adults.

Purpose:

The aim is to explore the use of technology – health-related - among older African Americans.

Methods:

From the National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS) data, 1,399 older African Americans living in their community were selected for analyses: 52% aged over 75, 60% women, 39% less than HS, 57% from the South. Sociodemographic variables include age, gender, education & health conditions. Dependent variables were operationalized with binary answers: cell phone, working computer, use of email or text, online computer use, internet use for health management, and online shopping

Results:

While 73.3% with cell phone, 45.3% has a computer, 19% email or texting with only 7% using most days. 21% access to online/internet, very few to use internet search for medical providers (3.6%), health insurance (2.2%), and health information (5.9%) while online shopping (6.1% for grocery, 9.7% banking, and 3.8% order refill RX). A series of cross-tabulation tests found that older (over 75 years) women in lower educational level and poorer health conditions are less likely use these health-related technologies.

Implications:

It is clear that older minority population are still significantly marginalized in digital world. Better tailored technology integrated programs should be developed to improve minority health and eliminate health disparities. Practitioners and students must know that technology can be also used to affect the older population to integrate healthier lifestyle into their lives. The variety of accessible technologies should be accessible for individuals to use them in conjunction for their positive adaptation to aging process.