Population Health Research Brief Series

Older adults are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 but less interested in information that might lower the risk of getting or spreading the disease.

This brief shows that in the first months of the pandemic, older adults were less likely to consume COVID-19 information or media than younger adults. These behaviors are associated with age differences in emotional experiences and preferences, with older adults feeling calmer and more interested in protecting their feelings than younger adults. To keep older adults informed on COVID-19, government and health officials should directly target communication efforts to older adults.