Online Health Information–Seeking Among Older Adults and Predictors of Use, Motivations, and Barriers in the Context of Healthy Aging: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Considering the rapid digital transformation, older adults are increasingly relying on online health information-seeking (OHIS) to support healthy aging. However, disparities in their digital competence levels (the ability to effectively use digital tools) and health literacy (the ability to access, understand, appraise, and apply health information) may influence engagement in OHIS. Objective: This paper examines the prevalence of OHIS among older adults in Switzerland and identifies their motivations, barriers, and predictors of use. The objective is to determine key factors that promote or hinder OHIS use among older internet users. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1261 internet users aged 60 years and older living in Switzerland (mean age 70.1, SD 7.3 years; 539/1261, 42.7% female). Descriptive analyses and hierarchical binary logistic regression models were used. Results: Overall, 77.6% (969/1248) of participants engaged in OHIS in their everyday lives. Subjective health status, internet use frequency, trust in online health information (OHI), and digital competence level significantly influenced OHIS use. Participants reporting good to very good health were less likely to engage in OHIS compared to those in poorer health (odds ratio [OR] 0.496, 95% CI 0.307-0.801; P=.004). Higher likelihood of OHIS use was associated with (almost) daily versus less frequent internet use (OR 1.550, 95% CI 1.011-2.376; P=.04), general trust versus distrust in OHI (OR 5.784, 95% CI 4.044-8.272; P