The Digital Divide and Cognitive Disparities Among Older Adults: Community-Based Cohort Study in China
BackgroundThe widespread adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) further deepens disparities in resource access, particularly among the aging population. However, the relationship between these factors and their resulting impact on cognitive abilities re...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e59684 |
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| author | Yumeng Li Chen Liu Jiaqing Sun Junying Zhang Xin Li Zhanjun Zhang |
| author_facet | Yumeng Li Chen Liu Jiaqing Sun Junying Zhang Xin Li Zhanjun Zhang |
| author_sort | Yumeng Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundThe widespread adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) further deepens disparities in resource access, particularly among the aging population. However, the relationship between these factors and their resulting impact on cognitive abilities remains uncertain.
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the potential impact of the digital divide on individuals’ cognitive function and its association with the development and reversion of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
MethodsThis cohort study used data from Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation (BABRI) study applying a multistage cluster sampling design between 2008 and 2020. The digital divide was quantified by the frequency of using ICTs. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), mixed linear models, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to model the association of digital divide and multidomain cognition.
ResultsAmong the 10098 participants, nearly half (n=4941, 48.9%) faced the digital divide, which was associated with a worse performance in processing speed (F10096=10.67; P<.001; effect size r=0.42), rather than memory, executive function, and language. The model indicated that individuals’ physical and mental health, combined with their educational and occupational prestige, influenced the resources they attained, which ultimately caused the digital divide. Moreover, longitudinal data revealed that older adults who successfully crossed the digital divide during the tracking process and those who had already done so prior to tracking showed significantly slower rates of decline in processing speed (B=–1.98, P<.05; B=–2.62, P<.01) and general cognitive function (B=3.50, P<.001; B=3.13, P<.01). Additionally, overcoming the digital divide was also associated with a lower risk of developing MCI (hazard ratio [HR] 0.5, 95% CI 0.34-0.74; HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29-0.62) and a greater probability of reversion from MCI to normal cognition (HR 6, 95% CI 3.77-9.56; HR 9.22, 95% CI 5.63-15.11).
ConclusionsOvercoming the digital divide was significantly associated with improved cognitive function, a slower aging rate in cognitive performance, a reduced risk of developing MCI, and a higher likelihood of reverting from MCI to normal cognition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6100b306d928481f95804812601d8343 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-6100b306d928481f95804812601d83432024-11-27T20:30:33ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712024-11-0126e5968410.2196/59684The Digital Divide and Cognitive Disparities Among Older Adults: Community-Based Cohort Study in ChinaYumeng Lihttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-3107-3778Chen Liuhttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-4021-3828Jiaqing Sunhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7896-5860Junying Zhanghttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9299-0256Xin Lihttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9598-0299Zhanjun Zhanghttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6714-3263 BackgroundThe widespread adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) further deepens disparities in resource access, particularly among the aging population. However, the relationship between these factors and their resulting impact on cognitive abilities remains uncertain. ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the potential impact of the digital divide on individuals’ cognitive function and its association with the development and reversion of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MethodsThis cohort study used data from Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation (BABRI) study applying a multistage cluster sampling design between 2008 and 2020. The digital divide was quantified by the frequency of using ICTs. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), mixed linear models, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to model the association of digital divide and multidomain cognition. ResultsAmong the 10098 participants, nearly half (n=4941, 48.9%) faced the digital divide, which was associated with a worse performance in processing speed (F10096=10.67; P<.001; effect size r=0.42), rather than memory, executive function, and language. The model indicated that individuals’ physical and mental health, combined with their educational and occupational prestige, influenced the resources they attained, which ultimately caused the digital divide. Moreover, longitudinal data revealed that older adults who successfully crossed the digital divide during the tracking process and those who had already done so prior to tracking showed significantly slower rates of decline in processing speed (B=–1.98, P<.05; B=–2.62, P<.01) and general cognitive function (B=3.50, P<.001; B=3.13, P<.01). Additionally, overcoming the digital divide was also associated with a lower risk of developing MCI (hazard ratio [HR] 0.5, 95% CI 0.34-0.74; HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29-0.62) and a greater probability of reversion from MCI to normal cognition (HR 6, 95% CI 3.77-9.56; HR 9.22, 95% CI 5.63-15.11). ConclusionsOvercoming the digital divide was significantly associated with improved cognitive function, a slower aging rate in cognitive performance, a reduced risk of developing MCI, and a higher likelihood of reverting from MCI to normal cognition.https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e59684 |
| spellingShingle | Yumeng Li Chen Liu Jiaqing Sun Junying Zhang Xin Li Zhanjun Zhang The Digital Divide and Cognitive Disparities Among Older Adults: Community-Based Cohort Study in China Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | The Digital Divide and Cognitive Disparities Among Older Adults: Community-Based Cohort Study in China |
| title_full | The Digital Divide and Cognitive Disparities Among Older Adults: Community-Based Cohort Study in China |
| title_fullStr | The Digital Divide and Cognitive Disparities Among Older Adults: Community-Based Cohort Study in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Digital Divide and Cognitive Disparities Among Older Adults: Community-Based Cohort Study in China |
| title_short | The Digital Divide and Cognitive Disparities Among Older Adults: Community-Based Cohort Study in China |
| title_sort | digital divide and cognitive disparities among older adults community based cohort study in china |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e59684 |
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