A narrower access gap, yet persistent divides: the digital inequality among China’s urban-rural older adults

Ran Xiaoxing, Chen Gong, Bin Guo · 2026 · BMC Public Health

Summary. China's older adults experience persistent digital inequality between urban and rural areas. While the gap in basic internet access narrowed between 2017 and 2021, rural seniors use the internet less frequently than urban peers and derive different health benefits from online activity. The study shows that simply providing access does not ensure equal usage patterns or outcomes, requiring targeted policies addressing multiple levels of digital inclusion.

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@article{xiaoxing-2026-narrower-access-gap-yet-persistent,
  title   = {A narrower access gap, yet persistent divides: the digital inequality among China’s urban-rural older adults},
  author  = {Ran Xiaoxing and Chen Gong and Bin Guo},
  journal = {BMC Public Health},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.1186/s12889-026-27131-8},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-27131-8}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - A narrower access gap, yet persistent divides: the digital inequality among China’s urban-rural older adults
AU  - Ran Xiaoxing
AU  - Chen Gong
AU  - Bin Guo
JO  - BMC Public Health
PY  - 2026
DO  - 10.1186/s12889-026-27131-8
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-27131-8
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.1186/s12889-026-27131-8

Countries

China

Regions

Asia

Categories

broadband-and-digital, rural-healthcare, policy, general-innovation

Added

2026-10-01