Digital Divide, Health Literacy, and the Release of Silver Economy Consumption Potential — A Mechanism Study Based on the New Path of “Health Improvement + Digital Empowerment”

Hao Zhou, Nani Ren, Xianlin Yuan

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¹ University of Macau, Macau, China,

² The First Dongguan Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523710, Guangdong, China,

³ Guangdong Industry Polytechnic, Guangzhou 510270, Guangdong, China,

ssr 2025 , 7(12), 323–329; https://doi.org/10.26689/ssr.v7i12.13434

Abstract

Amid the aging population trend, the silver economy has become a key engine for expanding domestic demand and promoting consumption, driving the elderly group toward a high-quality life. The advent of the digital economy has accelerated the development of "digital health" formats represented by internet-based medical services, wearable devices, and smart elderly care platforms, providing more intelligent health management and services for the elderly. However, the emergence of the digital divide leads to insufficient health literacy among the elderly, inhibiting the release of their consumption potential. Based on this, this paper analyzes the internal connections and impacts among the digital divide, health literacy, and the release of silver economy consumption potential, explores the relevant paths, and provides new ideas for the development of the silver economy.

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