Digital divide and health status among rural older adults in China: evidence from CHARLS

Weili Ren, Jianan Li, Yuge Tian, Deyan Liu, Zhiduo Chen, Shangjian Yang, Jie Ren · 2026 · Global Health Action

Summary. Digital inequality is associated with worse health outcomes among rural older adults in China. The relationship operates through reduced cognitive function and lower social participation. Broadband access weakens the negative effect of digital divide on cognition, while physical activity reduces the impact of low social participation on health. Interventions addressing digital access, infrastructure, and physical activity could reduce health disparities.

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Ren, W., Li, J., Tian, Y., Liu, D., Chen, Z., Yang, S., & Ren, J.. (2026). Digital divide and health status among rural older adults in China: evidence from CHARLS. Global Health Action. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2026.2679945

@article{ren-2026-digital-divide-health-status-among,
  title   = {Digital divide and health status among rural older adults in China: evidence from CHARLS},
  author  = {Weili Ren and Jianan Li and Yuge Tian and Deyan Liu and Zhiduo Chen and Shangjian Yang and Jie Ren},
  journal = {Global Health Action},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.1080/16549716.2026.2679945},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2026.2679945}
}

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TI  - Digital divide and health status among rural older adults in China: evidence from CHARLS
AU  - Weili Ren
AU  - Jianan Li
AU  - Yuge Tian
AU  - Deyan Liu
AU  - Zhiduo Chen
AU  - Shangjian Yang
AU  - Jie Ren
JO  - Global Health Action
PY  - 2026
DO  - 10.1080/16549716.2026.2679945
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Details

DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2026.2679945
Countries: China
Regions: Asia
Categories: broadband-and-digital, rural-healthcare, general-innovation
Added: 2026-10-01