During the present COVID-19 global pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tasked with providing information and public guidance for appropriate COVID-19 prevention and management. However, public perception is varied and disseminated information must compete with sources of misinformation. Given usability’s impact on trust, usefulness, and attitudes towards systems, we conducted a usability heuristic assessment of the CDC’s COVID-19 information dissemination practices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Results show a critical need for dissemination practices to include design elements which help reduce external influences. Additionally, the usability of the CDC health information is impacted by the medium through which the information is disseminated, especially when the information is released via social media.

eHealth applications are expected to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare systems by providing improved medical information flow between medical providers and patients. Although the technology is expected to empower patients, lower treatment costs, and provide real-time collection of health data, individuals may be apprehensive about the use and efficacy of eHealth technologies. Medical professionals are often unaware of human factors technology acceptance or usability models which impact the use of medically focused technology, such as eHealth applications. Similarly, human factors professionals are often unaware of treatment adherence models which map the relationship of illness factors and individual differences to treatment protocols. The present paper presents a theoretical approach through which technology acceptance and usability models should be combined with medical treatment adherence models to ensure that eHealth applications are used properly and effectively.