Digital access and health outcomes: The moderating role of socioeconomic status in health information seeking

Objective Digital health disparities represent a growing equity concern in an era of increasing reliance on digital platforms for health information, yet unequal access and utilization patterns may disadvantage vulnerable populations. This study investigates how socioeconomic inequalities shape the relationship between digital access and health outcomes, specifically examining the mediating role of health information seeking and the moderating effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on the pathway from digital access to health information seeking. Methods This study analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2021 China General Social Survey ( N = 2265 after applying inclusion criteria). A composite digital access index and a health information seeking index were constructed, with self-rated health as the primary outcome measure. Hierarchical multiple regression examined the association between digital access and health outcomes, controlling for SES, gender, age, and residence. Bootstrap mediation analysis (5000 replications) tested the mediating role of health information seeking, and moderation analysis examined how SES influenced the pathway from digital access to health information seeking. All analyses were performed using Stata 18. Results Digital access significantly predicted better health outcomes. However, health information seeking did not mediate this relationship when SES was controlled. Importantly, SES emerged as a moderator of the association between digital access and health information seeking, revealing that digital access yielded greater information-seeking benefits for higher SES individuals. Conclusion Digital access improves health outcomes, but not through health information seeking as commonly assumed. SES moderates the link between digital access and health information seeking, with benefits concentrated among advantaged groups, potentially exacerbating health inequalities. Effective digital health policies need address not only technology access but also the socioeconomic barriers that prevent disadvantaged populations from translating digital access into health information seeking and improved health outcomes.