This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, there has been a steady increase in telehealth and telemedicine appointments across the country, where care is delivered to patients via video or telephone.
New data shows which groups used telehealth the most during the pandemic. According to a recent National Center for Health Statistics report, in 2021, more than 1 in 3 adults reported using telemedicine in the previous year, and use was more prevalent among women, older adults, and those living in urban areas. Specifically, data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey showed that women were much more likely than men to use telemedicine, at 42% and 31.7%, respectively. Usage also increased with age, as 43.3% of adults aged 65 and over took advantage of telemedicine compared with only 29.4% of those between 18 and 29. Women make up the majority of older adults in every country due to their higher life expectancy, and it’s not different in the U.S., where the average life expectancy for women is 81 years, five years longer than the average for males. So women using telehealth services more than men is consistent with that data. In recent years, healthcare has experienced an explosion in digital innovations designed to improve longevity and quality of life. One of these innovations includes telemedicine intervention, which has traditionally been used in rural areas, but is now growing in popularity in urban areas. One company, m-Health Solutions, which offers remote monitoring of patients and diagnostic abilities, has experienced growth in the area of urban telemedicine services. Don’t miss: ‘My body was breaking down.’ This 75-year-old was sick and overweight, and now she’s full of energy and a fitness influencer. …