The impact of the digital divide on residents' healthcare consumption inequality: evidence from CFPS in China

Theoretically, this study extends health inequality research from the macro-level to the micro-level by linking the digital divide to healthcare consumption disparities, and validates the applicability of Keynesian consumption theory and the life-cycle hypothesis in the digital era. Furthermore, the findings align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3 and 10): targeted interventions can mitigate the adverse effects of the digital divide. For developing countries, this study offers a strategic framework to balance digital healthcare advancement with equity, preventing technological exclusion from exacerbating healthcare disparities.