Digital health literacy

Digital skills enable safe access to reliable and trustworthy health information, resources and services.

Digital health literacy is essential for everyone to make informed, confident choices to support their health and wellbeing using online tools and resources.

Significant advancements have been made in digital health during the pandemic. Telehealth – patients and medical professionals interacting via a digital device or phone – saw a rapid rise in use, reaching over 10 million patients since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the majority of telehealth consults are still happening by telephone rather than through video conferencing. This indicates that there is a big opportunity to support the uptake of online health services.

One of the most significant barriers facing the digital health agenda is how to connect with people who have low or no digital health literacy skills or confidence. The ‘digital health divide’ is recognised as an issue impacting the uptake of digital health initiatives in both Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy and the National Digital Health Workforce and Education Roadmap.

People particularly at-risk of missing out includes older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people living in rural and remote areas, and people with disability. These communities also have higher incidences of chronic health conditions or are at greater risk of mental health issues.

Supporting people in at-risk communities to improve their digital health skills and confidence enables safe access to reliable and trustworthy information, resources and services. It supports people to benefit from Medicare funded telehealth appointments, electronic prescribing, health and wellbeing apps, and online government health services such as My Health Record.

What we're doing

Find out more about how we're working to close the digital health divide.

Your Health in Your Hands

Building digital health literacy so people can make informed, confident choices to support their health and wellbeing online.

 

Health My Way

Digital health literacy skills are critical to ensuring every Australian has the ability to make informed, confident choices when it comes to supporting their health and wellbeing online.

 

20/07/2021 · Health | Research and reports

Expanding Digital Health

A summary of our virtual roundtable events that are supporting Australia to close the digital health divide.

 

Impact stories & Insights

  • A mother and daughter video calling a doctor on a laptop.

    29/11/2021 · Health | Insights | Research and reports

    National Digital Health Strategy consultation submission

    Our submission for all to benefit from digital health.

  • Nurse using laptop

    21/07/2021 · Health | Research and reports

    Expanding Digital Health: It’s time to target inequities

    Emeritus Professor Linda Kristjanson AO discusses the latest findings from the Series Two roundtables.

  • Expanding Digital Health

    20/07/2021 · Health | Research and reports

    Expanding Digital Health

    A summary of our virtual roundtable events that are supporting Australia to close the digital health divide.

  • Digital health mentor Kirstie teaches a class of women with tablets on the table.

    13/05/2021 · Health | Health My Way | Our projects

    Crafting better digital health skills

    Artworks Inc are combining art and digital skills workshops to promote digital health resources.

  • Text: Network story. National Seniors Australia. Capricornia, QLD.

    04/05/2021 · Health | Health My Way | Our projects

    Seniors zoom into digital health

    National Seniors Australia’s Capricornia branch is helping older Australians to take ownership of their health records and information online.

  • Woman using video call with doctor on laptop.

    29/04/2021 · Health | Insights

    Collaborating for equal access to digital health

    Telehealth and COVID-19: what are the challenges to supporting participation for the digitally excluded?

 

Digital Nation 2021

Digital Nation Australia 2021 brings together the latest research and insights from government, community and academia to help build understanding of the digital inclusion landscape in Australia and inform initiatives that could close the digital divide for all.