Aging Well: How Tech Savvy Can Fight Loneliness and Boost Happiness in Different Countries

Growing old doesn't have to mean losing your health or happiness. That's what "successful aging" is all about – staying independent and satisfied as you get older. During the pandemic, we looked into how well people can use online health tools (e-health literacy) to combat loneliness and keep up their wellbeing. We compared this in countries with different income levels – middle and high-income. Surprisingly, we found that the ability to use these online tools didn't just depend on where you lived. It also mattered how much you knew about them and were willing to try. People in high-income countries tended to be more tech-savvy, but that didn't always mean they were better at using health tools. Some folks in middle-income countries were quick to learn and use these tools effectively.Loneliness is a big deal, especially when you're stuck at home. We saw that those who could easily use these online tools felt less lonely. They could connect with others, find helpful information, and even chat with doctors. This really helped boost their wellbeing. So, what's the takeaway? It's not just about how much money a country has. It's also about how well people can use the tools available to them. Training and promoting e-health literacy could make a big difference in helping everyone age well.