Evaluating adult digital health literacy, 2020–2025: A systematic review

Online/digital health literacy is important for individuals to evaluate the influence of such input in their care and consent for treatment. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the digital health literacy level among adults in studies that used the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) as a measure of digital health literacy. The authors searched Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for evidence following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Statement, 2020 (PRISMA). Included were articles in which the researchers evaluated the level of digital health literacy using eHEALS, were peer reviewed, written in English or in which English translation was provided, and were published between 2020-2025. There were 200 articles initially identified in the search, 180 were excluded resulting in a sample of 20 publications. EHEALS scores, with possibilities from 8-40, had a weighted mean of 24.3 (95%CI: 17.1-31.6). The lowest mean score was 12.57; and the highest mean score was 35.1. The highest eHEALS score was from a qualitative interview study. Nine other studies reported overall means ≥ 30. There were three with eHEALS scores below 20. Globally, there is a wide range of reported digital health literacy levels. It is critical that the public gains skill and confidence in digital health literacy for healthcare decisions. The results of this study provide evidence of a large range of digital health literacy.