Examining Ethnic Disparities in Digital Healthcare Services Utilization: Insights from Israel

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine ethnic disparities in the utilization of digital healthcare services (DHS) in Israel and explore the characteristics and factors influencing DHS use among the Arab minority and Jewish majority populations.

Methods

A cross-sectional correlational design was employed to collect data from 606 Israeli participants, 445 Jews, and 161 Arabs. Participants completed a digital questionnaire that assessed DHS utilization, digital health literacy, attitudes towards DHS, and demographic variables.

Results

The findings reveal significant disparities in DHS utilization and attitudes between these ethnic groups, with Jewish participants demonstrating higher rates of utilization and positive attitudes toward DHS. The study also explores the predictive role of digital health literacy and attitudes in DHS use while considering ethnicity as a potential moderator. Significant predicting factors related to DHS utilization among Jews include positive attitudes and high health literacy. Among the Arabs, only attitudes towards DHS significantly predict the extent of DHS use. Digital health literacy affects the extent of use through attitudes at the two groups of the moderator significantly, but it is stronger among the Arab group.

Conclusion

To improve healthcare outcomes and reduce disparities, efforts should focus on ensuring equitable access to DHS for the Arab minority population. Targeted interventions, including digital literacy education, removing technology access barriers, offering services in Arabic, and collaborating with community organizations, can help bridge the gap and promote equal utilization of DHS.

Keywords:

• health literacy
• digital health literacy
• Arabs
• minority
• Jews

Ethics Considerations

This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from the Yezreel Valley College Ethics Committee before data collection (Approval No. YVC EMEK 2022-61).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.