Are elderly internet users healthier?
| Author: | Bc. Karolína Hozová |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2022 - summer |
| Leaders: | PhDr. Jana Votápková Ph.D. |
| Consultants: | |
| Work type: | Bachelors |
| Language: | English |
| Pages: | 51 |
| Awards and prizes: | |
| Link: | https://dspace.cuni.cz/handle/20.500.11956/175461 |
| Abstract: | This thesis examines how internet usage impacts health outcomes of elderly aged 50 and above living in European countries using data from Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) Wave 8. Since bi-directional relationship between health and internet usage is expected, a two-stage least square model (2SLS) is used. Self-assessed health condition as the response variable is tested. Internet usage proved to be endogenous with respect to the health among seniors aged 65 and older by employing Wu-Hausman test. Robustness check, in the form of respondent’s self-rated limitations in activities because of health, confirms the endogeneity, direction and significance of the relationship. Results show that internet usage positively affects health outcomes of seniors in the retirement age and decreases odds of poor health condition among the pre-retirement population (adults 50 to 64 years old). When accounted for socioeconomic factors in the pre-retirement age, significance of IT literacy diminishes. Other characteristics which affected health outcomes of elderly in our model are age, behavioral risks, life satisfaction, satisfaction with health care system and health literacy. |
