Digital Health Literacy of the Population in Germany: Results of the HLS-GER 2

Schaeffer, Doris, Gille, Svea, Berens, Eva-Maria, Griese, Lennert ORCID: 0000-0002-9900-2967, Klinger, Julia, Vogt, Dominique and Hurrelmann, Klaus . Digital Health Literacy of the Population in Germany: Results of the HLS-GER 2. Gesundheitswesen. STUTTGART: GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG. ISSN 1439-4421

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DOI:10.1055/a-1670-7636

Abstract

Aim While the availability and variety of digital information on health offers a range of opportunities, they also pose a number of challenges, because the need for digital health literacy (DHL) is increasing along with the growing range of information possibilities. The aim of this study was to analyze the extent of DHL in the German population, key determinants, and consequences for the use of digital health information resources. Methodology The analysis was based on data from the Second Health Literacy Survey Germany (HLS-GER 2), consisting of a representative sample of n=2,151. A questionnaire developed as part of the international comparative study HLS (19) was used to measure DHL, its determinants, and the use of digital health information resources. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results Overall, 75.8% of the population had low DHL. In particular, low literacy skills, older age, a lower level of education and social status were associated with low DHL. Multivariate analysis also indicated a strong association between DHL and general health literacy (HL). Low DHL led to lower use of digital health information resources. Conclusion The results underscore the importance of promoting DHL in the general population and especially among groups with low DHL. Efforts in this area should include general HL, as it is closely related to DHL. Strengthening DHL is also a socially important task in order to increase the still low use of digital health information resources in Germany and, in general, to meet the increasing digitalization of the health care system.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Creators:

Creators	Email	ORCID	ORCID Put Code
Schaeffer, Doris	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED
Gille, Svea	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED
Berens, Eva-Maria	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED
Griese, Lennert	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0002-9900-2967	UNSPECIFIED
Klinger, Julia	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED
Vogt, Dominique	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED
Hurrelmann, Klaus	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED	UNSPECIFIED