The Big Problem
How often do you use telehealth platforms or patient portals to access your medical records, check lab results, or schedule doctor’s appointments? For many of us, these tools are accessible and relatively easy to use. But for others, navigating these platforms can present a different story.
Imagine you're an 82-year-old woman trying to book an annual check-up. Using an old laptop with a slow internet connection, you end up stuck in an endless loop of password resets and confusing menus leading to jargon-heavy charts. In the end, it might feel much easier to pick up the phone and talk to a doctor—yet as the world grows increasingly digital, managing your healthcare is only growing more complicated.
Millions of older adults, low-income individuals, and those with limited access to technology struggle with digital health literacy.1 Ironically, the very technologies meant to improve healthcare can deepen disparities, unintentionally excluding the populations who need them most. For these groups, recent advancements like platforms and patient portals often present significant barriers. Whether stemming from limited tech skills, frustration with confusing interfaces, or concerns about security, many are unable to fully engage with digital healthcare. These persistent challenges underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve digital health literacy and ensure that online tools are accessible and effective for those who rely on them.
The good news is that we may be able to overcome these hurdles with a user-focused, patient-driven approach. By applying behavioral science insights about the decision-making barriers that limit tech adoption and the psychological factors that drive skills development, we can make digital health technology feel more intuitive and less intimidating. In this article, we explore several promising strategies gaining traction among professionals across public health, digital tech, and policy sectors to support digital health literacy and ensure technology serves as an effective bridge between healthcare and the people who need it most.
