It is expected that the rapid development of digital technologies will lead to a more integrated, person-centered and continuous healthcare, bringing multiple benefits to healthcare providers, users and managers. However, these transformations require digital health literacy. Digital health literacy goes beyond health literacy, encompassing computer literacy, information literacy and media literacy competences. Currently there are barriers in terms of access, digital competences and uses which result in low levels of digital health literacy, preventing people from benefiting from digital health. According to INE, in 2023, 11% of Portuguese households had no internet coverage and 44% of Portuguese citizens lacked basic digital skills. Older adults are among those with the lowest levels of digital competences and the lowest rates of internet and equipment connected to the internet usage. As the need for healthcare increases with age, these adults are particularly at risk of exclusion from healthcare innovations. It is therefore fundamental to empower older adults to effectively use emerging technologies in health. By exploring the factors that motivate or prevent older adults to use technologies in health and how these are related to the three-level digital divide, Time-To-Engage will help design person-based solutions to encourage older adults to use digital technologies in health, including initiatives that promote digital health literacy among the older population, and achieve digital health equity.

“Time-To-Engage project (LCF/PR/SR23/57000012)” has received funding from the Social Research Programme, promoted in the context of Iberian social research and innovation initiative, i4S ( (an agreement between the LaCaixa Foundation and FCT)

Digital transformation,digital health technology,digital health literacy,older adults,digital health equity

• Psychology - Social Sciences
• Sociology - Social Sciences