The effect of social determinants of health on use of diabetes‐related mobile health applications in older adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors' conclusion
We found that few older adults with type 2 diabetes use mHealth applications to assist in diabetes care, particularly among those with lower income.
Study context
- Population
- Older adults in the United States with self-reported T2D who completed the National Poll on Healthy Aging; mean (SD) age 65.4 (7.9) years, 44.0% female, 69.5% White
- Participants
- 348 adults
- Exposure
- Social determinants of health (SDOH) factors vs use of diabetes-related mHealth applications
- Outcome
- Co-primary: use of mHealth applications to (1) track diabetes medications and (2) track blood glucose levels
Methodological detailsnationally representative survey, age-adjusted logistic regression
- Nationally representative survey
- Age-adjusted logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Use of mHealth applications
Odds ratio (95% CI)
Higher incomeuse of mHealth to track diabetes medications
4.3(1.3–15.3)
Higher incomeuse of mHealth to track blood glucose
52.0(6.3–716.9)
Older ageuse of mHealth to track medications
0.9(0.8–0.99)
Graduate educationuse of mHealth to track blood glucose
3.9(1.2–12.8)
- Used mHealth applications to track blood glucose
- 12.4%
- Used mHealth applications to track diabetes medications
- 5.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
The effect of social determinants of health on use of diabetes‐related mobile health applications in older adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabet Med. Published 2 September 2026. doi:10.
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