Internet Use and Health Outcomes Among Rural Residents in China

Background: Rural residents in China face significant health information gaps relative to their urban counterparts, compounding persistent disparities in health outcomes. The rapid expansion of Internet connectivity in rural areas may offer a low-cost mechanism for bridging these gaps. Objective: This study examines whether Internet use improves health outcomes among rural residents in China and explores the mechanisms through which health information operates. Methods: Using longitudinal data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS, 2004-2015), we estimate OLS regression models with year and province fixed effects. Internet use serves as a proxy for health information access. Short-term health outcomes include illness incidence, severity, and disability days; long-term outcomes include hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and obesity. Mechanism analysis examines health literacy and social support as mediating channels, stratified by age group. Results: Internet users demonstrate significantly better short-term and long-term health outcomes. Internet use reduces four-week illness probability by 3.7 percentage points and lowers the likelihood of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and obesity by 1.2, 0.8, 0.3, and 1.5 percentage points, respectively. Mechanism analysis reveals that Internet use improves health literacy across all age groups and reduces psychological stress among middle-aged and elderly residents. Conclusions: Health information accessed through the Internet confers significant benefits for rural residents in China. Policies promoting rural Internet infrastructure, digital health literacy, and targeted interventions for older populations are warranted to reduce urban-rural health disparities and support rural revitalization.