The relationship between digital health literacy and health anxiety among Chinese older adults: the role of aging attitudes and physical activity

Digital health literacy not only directly alleviates health anxiety among older adults but also indirectly reduces anxiety by fostering more positive aging attitudes and promoting higher levels of physical activity. These findings elucidate key psychological and behavioral mechanisms underlying health anxiety in digital contexts and provide important implications for public health interventions. Integrated strategies combining digital skills training, positive aging education, and physical activity promotion may be effective in enhancing the mental and physical health of older adults.