The Effectiveness of Digital Interventions to Increase Preventive Care Uptake in Older Adults: Systematic Review

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported

• Effect Size: Modest improvements reported but not quantified

• Primary Outcome: Preventive care uptake rates for cancer screening and adult immunizations

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not calculated - insufficient quantitative data for meta-analysis

• Confidence Interval: Not reported due to narrative synthesis

Clinical Application

Moderate - requires consideration of digital literacy, engagement strategies, and personalization rather than generic automated approaches Relevant to Australian primary care and preventive health initiatives, particularly given aging population and digital health strategy. May inform Medicare Benefits Schedule preventive care items and support RACGP guidelines for older adult care. Community-dwelling older adults aged 60+ years with access to digital technologies

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Older adults face increasing health risks associated with aging and chronic disease; yet, uptake of recommended clinical preventive services remains low. Digital health interventions have the potential to enhance access and engagement, but their effectiveness in older adult populations remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to examine the range and types of digital clinical preventive service interventions and assess their impact on preventive care uptake among older adults. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed research literature published since 2014. Eligible studies included experimental and quasi-experimental designs evaluating digital interventions targeting community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older. Interventions focused on high-priority preventive services, including cancer screening and adult immunizations. Data were extracted using a standardized form and synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 24 studies involving over 1.3 million participants from 11 countries were included. Interventions used a range of digital tools, including telephone calls, SMS text messages, patient portals, and video-based education. While some digital and automated interventions demonstrated modest improvements in preventive services uptake, results were mixed. Interventions incorporating personalized elements (eg, tailored telephone counseling or in-person education) were generally more effective than generic, automated communications. Few studies reported on digital literacy support or intervention reach, and engagement with digital platforms was often low. CONCLUSIONS: Digital interventions can support modest improvements in preventive services uptake among older adults, particularly when personalized or combined with human interaction. However, assumptions of digital fluency and limited reporting on engagement constrain generalizability. Future research should prioritize inclusive design, detailed reporting, and strategies that address digital equity to better support older adult populations.

References

1. 1.Burton, L., Rush, K. L., Smith, M. A., & Janke, R. (2026). The effectiveness of digital interventions to increase preventive care uptake in older adults: Systematic review. JMIR Aging, 5(1), e83446. https://doi.org/10.2196/83446