Broadband Access, Internet Use, and General Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Longitudinal Study
Abstract
Background: Internet use may support cognitive health in aging populations, but the digital divide in access and use might worsen inequalities. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether internet use mediates the long-term relationship between broadband access and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China. Methods: Using 3-wave data (2015-2020) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N=6063), we applied parallel-process latent growth curve models to analyze trajectories of broadband access, internet use, and general cognition, adjusting for sociodemographic and time-varying covariates. Results: Baseline broadband access predicted initial internet use (β=0.453; P
Fields of Study & Subjects
Technology Use by Older Adults
Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
Aging and Gerontology Research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- JMIR Aging
- Publisher
- JMIR Publications Inc.
- Volume
- 9
- Pages
- e75947–e75947
- Publication date
- 19 February 2026
- Language
- EN