“Willing but unable”: the generative logic and bridging pathways of the digital health divide among rural older adults in China
- 1Normal School of Vocational Techniques, Hubei University of Technology
- 2School of Law, Humanities and Sociology, Wuhan University of Technology
Abstract
Objectives: Widespread digital transformation in healthcare has led to serious digital exclusion among rural older adults. This study aims to explore the formation mechanisms of the rural digital health divide in China and propose targeted solutions to address this issue.
Methods: This research adopted reflexive thematic analysis. We conducted in-depth interviews and participant observation with 105 older adults and 20 reference participants (15 adult children/relatives and 5 community workers) recruited from 12 administrative villages in Hubei Province to collect first-hand empirical data.
Results: A typical paradox was identified: rural older adults demonstrate strong willingness and practical needs to use digital health tools, yet remain unable to access the full range of digital health services. The digital health divide is jointly shaped by three interrelated factors: individual physical and cognitive limitations, structural exclusion caused by inadequate digital health infrastructure, and intergenerational disconnection.
Conclusion: Beyond simple individual and infrastructure logic, the rural digital health divide is a complex problem shaped by individual, structural and intergenerational contexts. Informed by spatial justice theory, this study puts forward a systematic optimization framework across physical, social and symbolic spatial dimensions, covering infrastructure upgrading, community capacity building and cultural adaptation. The research findings help eliminate access barriers to digital health services, build an inclusive digital health ecosystem, and promote health equity for rural older populations.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026willing,
title = {{“Willing but unable”: the generative logic and bridging pathways of the digital health divide among rural older adults in China}},
author = {Yang Wang and Junli Liang and Zhendong Wu},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1907383},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1907383/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - “Willing but unable”: the generative logic and bridging pathways of the digital health divide among rural older adults in China
AU - Yang Wang
AU - Junli Liang
AU - Zhendong Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1907383
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1907383/full
AB - Objectives: Widespread digital transformation in healthcare has led to serious digital exclusion among rural older adults. This study aims to explore the formation mechanisms of the rural digital health divide in China and propose targeted solutions to address this issue. Methods: This research adopted reflexive thematic analysis. We conducted in-depth interviews and participant observation with 105 older adults and 20 reference participants (15 adult children/relatives and 5 community workers) recruited from 12 administrative villages in Hubei Province to collect first-hand empirical data. Results: A typical paradox was identified: rural older adults demonstrate strong willingness and practical needs to use digital health tools, yet remain unable to access the full range of digital health services. The digital health divide is jointly shaped by three interrelated factors: individual physical and cognitive limitations, structural exclusion caused by inadequate digital health infrastructure, and intergenerational disconnection. Conclusion: Beyond simple individual and infrastructure logic, the rural digital health divide is a complex problem shaped by individual, structural and intergenerational contexts. Informed by spatial justice theory, this study puts forward a systematic optimization framework across physical, social and symbolic spatial dimensions, covering infrastructure upgrading, community capacity building and cultural adaptation. The research findings help eliminate access barriers to digital health services, build an inclusive digital health ecosystem, and promote health equity for rural older populations.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -