[Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related digital inequalities].

Background: Health impairments in people in the second half of life are generally associated with lower online activities; however, during the COVID-19 pandemic individuals with health-related limitations in daily activities may have perceived an added benefit in internet use, potentially leading to a reduction in health-related digital inequalities.

Objective: The study examines whether and to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the relationship between limitations in daily activities and online access as well as the use of the internet for information seeking and maintaining social contacts.

Methods: Linear probability models were estimated using data from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS) from waves 6 (2017) and 7 (2020/2021).

Results: After controlling for gender, age, education, social network and income, it was found that health-related inequalities regarding internet access slightly decreased during the pandemic, while there was no significant effect of the wave on the relationship between health impairments and online activities for information seeking and maintaining contacts.

Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic internet access rates and online activities increased among people with limitations in daily activities; however, health-related inequalities partially persisted. Reducing barriers to internet usage and ensuring social participation through analogue means must continue to be advanced.