# Evaluating the Impact of Digital Health Literacy on the Adoption of Preventive Health Measures in Socioeconomically Vulnerable Communities: A Narrative Review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how digital health literacy affects preventive health behaviors in vulnerable communities and finds that better digital skills can increase preventive health uptake.

## Contribution

The study synthesizes quantitative evidence linking digital health literacy to preventive health behaviors in socioeconomically vulnerable populations.

## Key findings

- Improved digital health literacy correlates with up to a 25% increase in preventive health measure adoption.
- Disparities in digital access and foundational literacy limit the benefits of digital health literacy in underserved communities.
- Methodological inconsistencies and lack of region-specific data hinder generalizability of findings.

## Abstract

As digital platforms become central to healthcare delivery, digital health literacy (DHL), the ability to seek, understand, evaluate, and apply health information using digital technologies, has emerged as a vital determinant of preventive health behavior. This review addresses how limited DHL hinders the adoption of preventive measures such as vaccination, screening, hygiene, and lifestyle modification in socioeconomically vulnerable populations. The objective is to synthesize quantitative evidence linking DHL to preventive behavior while analyzing the influence of socioeconomic status, digital access, trust in technology, and health self-efficacy. Through a structured review of quantitative studies published between 2015 and 2025, the analysis focuses on validated DHL instruments, including the eHealth Literacy Scale and the Digital Health Literacy Instrument, as well as diverse intervention formats and population-specific findings. Results indicate that improved DHL correlates with up to a 25% increase in preventive health uptake. However, disparities in digital access, foundational literacy, and cultural alignment limit these benefits in underserved settings. Methodological inconsistencies and gaps in region-specific data also constrain generalizability. The findings underscore the need to embed DHL within national health literacy strategies, public health infrastructure, and community-led programs. The key takeaway is that without DHL, digital innovation may widen rather than reduce existing health inequities.