000162281 001__ 162281 000162281 005__ 20251017144604.0 000162281 0247_ $$2doi$$a10.1159/000546866 000162281 0248_ $$2sideral$$a144830 000162281 037__ $$aART-2025-144830 000162281 041__ $$aeng 000162281 100__ $$aLima, Maria Luisa 000162281 245__ $$aAcceptance of digital health in Portugal: an example of digital divide 000162281 260__ $$c2025 000162281 5060_ $$aAccess copy available to the general public$$fUnrestricted 000162281 5203_ $$aDigital health technologies are becoming increasingly important in achieving broader healthcare goals worldwide, with significant investments in infrastructure and legislative frameworks to regulate this growing sector. However, despite substantial structural support, there remains a gap between investment and consumer usage, particularly evident in Portugal. This study aims to understand attitudes and behaviors towards digital health among the Portuguese population and identify key variables influencing their adoption. Utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model, socio-demographic and subjective factors were examined in a national online survey, part of the CROss-National Online Survey 2 panel associated with the European Social Survey Round 10.The results indicate a positive perception of digital health technologies, with high scores for perceived ease of use (M = 4.97, SD = 1.18) and for the value attributed to these tools (M = 4.71, SD = 1.14). However, their actual use remains relatively low (M = 1.23, SD = 0.94), with concerns about the quality of care and dependence on technology (M = 4.01, SD = 0.94). Older people perceived less ease of use of digital health tools (r = -.234, p < .01), along with less favorable attitudes (r = -.195, p < .01) and lower intention to use them (r = -.145, p < .01). In contrast, literacy, income and education level were positively associated with the above dimensions, highlighting the digital health divide. While digital health technologies offer promising opportunities, it is essential to address their potential to exacerbate health inequalities. This study underscores the significance of understanding socio-demographic and subjective factors in shaping attitudes and behaviors towards digital health. The implications of the findings for policy and intervention aiming to enhance digital healthcare engagement and accessibility are discussed, including the implementation of targeted national digital health literacy programs and the integration of digital health education into formal education curricula. Keywords: digital health attitudes and behaviors; social determinants of health; Technology acceptance model; Portugal 000162281 540__ $$9info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess$$aby-nc$$uhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/deed.es 000162281 655_4 $$ainfo:eu-repo/semantics/article$$vinfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion 000162281 700__ $$aCamilo, Cristina 000162281 700__ $$aBorges Rodrigues, Ricardo 000162281 700__ $$aBobrowicz-Campos, Elzbieta 000162281 700__ $$aEspanha, Rita 000162281 700__ $$aMartins, Henrique 000162281 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0001-8059-0327$$aSánchez-García, Julia$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza 000162281 7102_ $$14009$$2620$$aUniversidad de Zaragoza$$bDpto. Psicología y Sociología$$cÁrea Metod.Ciencias Comportam. 000162281 773__ $$g(2025), [22 pp.]$$pPort. j. public health$$tPortuguese Journal of Public Health$$x2504-3137 000162281 8564_ $$s1158298$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/162281/files/texto_completo.pdf$$yPostprint 000162281 8564_ $$s1091093$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/162281/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon$$xicon$$yPostprint 000162281 909CO $$ooai:zaguan.unizar.es:162281$$particulos$$pdriver 000162281 951__ $$a2025-10-17-14:14:52 000162281 980__ $$aARTICLE