Staying Connected: The Crucial Role Digital Access Plays in Health Management

Imagine you are a 65-year-old woman who suddenly develops celiac disease, a condition that causes the body to become intolerant of gluten. (According to a Celiac Health Survey, approximately 20% of celiac cases are diagnosed in those who are over the age of 60.) Finding yourself gluten intolerant at the age of 65 would be overwhelming, but it could be even more so if trusty online resources weren’t available for you to check whether the food on your plate has gluten in it or to look for gluten-free recipes when you have to make a huge diet change. The knowledge found from reputable online resources isn’t just nice to have – it is a lifeline to better health. From deciphering food labels to understanding cross-contamination risks, these resources provide essential guidance and support for individuals adapting to a gluten-free lifestyle. Furthermore, connecting with online communities and forums allows individuals to share experiences, seek advice, and find solidarity in their journey. In this digital age, online access serves as an indispensable tool for empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being, especially when faced with life-altering diagnoses like celiac disease.

Today, access to healthcare is increasingly reliant on technology. For many individuals, particularly older adults, the lack of digital access presents a significant barrier to receiving timely and quality care. Without the ability to navigate online health portals, digitally schedule doctor appointments, access essential health information, or receive telemedicine services, those who do not have access to technologies often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to managing their care.

The Benefits of Digital Access

Digital access can significantly impact health in various ways including:

• Access to health information: The internet serves as a vast repository of reliable health-related information from medical and healthcare organizations, hospitals, and academic medical institutions. These organizations give individuals the information they need to educate themselves about symptoms, ways to holistically manage their chronic conditions, and treatment options. This empowers people to make informed decisions about their health and seek appropriate medical care when needed.
  

• Telemedicine and virtual care: Digital access facilitates telemedicine services. This is particularly beneficial for those who live in rural or underserved areas, those with unreliable transportation or mobility limitations, or those unable to leave their homes due to illness or disability. Telemedicine promotes early intervention, prevents the spread of sickness, and reduces the need for unnecessary doctor or hospital visits.
  

• Health monitoring and management: Digital health technologies, such as wearable devices and mobile apps, enable individuals to monitor their health metrics, track physical activity, and more easily access their medical charts. These tools promote health management, early detection of issues, and adherence to treatment plans. Mobile apps and wearable devices also enable individuals to track their health behaviors including diet, exercise, and sleep patterns, and receive personalized feedback and recommendations. These tools promote healthy behavior and support long-term behavior changes.

While you may be thinking Apple Watches and Fitbits are not necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, there are all sorts of wearable devices that help those with chronic conditions manage their care including wearable ECG, blood pressure, or continuous glucose monitors. Many of which rely on mobile phones or the internet to best monitor/manage care.

Other health management tools include health insurance apps and online portals that help members gain a better understanding of covered benefits, view EOBs, and find in-network providers, among other crucial plan information. This reduces the number of calls coming into a health plan’s call center and prevents the wasting of resources that could be used elsewhere.

What Causes a Lack of Digital Access and How Can We Fix It?

Addressing digital access disparities is imperative for promoting health equity and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities to achieve optimal health outcomes. The lack of digital access can exacerbate existing healthcare barriers and disproportionately affect marginalized communities and underserved populations. Individuals without digital access face challenges in obtaining accurate and timely health information and care, which can lead to misinformation, delayed diagnoses, and inadequate understanding of health conditions and treatment options.

According to Maryville University, some of the top reasons for the digital divide include affordability, digital literacy, and disability.

BeneLynk’s Community Lynk+ solution uses predictive algorithms to identify members who may benefit from outreach. From there, our advocates “lead with help” to identify the barriers your plan members are immediately facing. We then use a database of over 300,000 local, state, and federal programs to surface solutions and get members the help they deserve.

Here are some results from a quick search in my area (metro Atlanta).

• Affordability: Human-I-T, PCs For People, and Access Wireless offer free or low-cost computers, mobile devices, and Internet for low-income individuals.
  

• Digital literacy: Programs from organizations such as Senior Planet and Cyber Seniors offer America’s older adults educational courses that help sharpen technological skills and encourage the use of technology.
  

• Disability: Programs such as those offered by Sorenson, ClearCaptions, the Georgia Center of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GCDHH), and Respectacle, help those with disabilities use technology to the best of their ability by offering vision and hearing aids.

*Many of the above organizations offer services nationwide but results will vary depending on member location.

As you can see there are a plethora of services designed to bridge the digital divide and give older adults the education and technology they need to live in the modern world. The biggest challenges that remain are spreading awareness of these programs and encouraging members to reach out, which BeneLynk facilitates with our Community Lynk+ solution.

Overall, digital access plays a crucial role in shaping health outcomes and behaviors. By addressing barriers to digital access and promoting digital inclusion, we can improve healthcare access, promote health equity, and empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being.