Majority of Americans Seek Health Answers Online
Pew Research Says 61 Percent Search Medical Sites for Information
Jun 29, 2009
Pew Charitable Trusts’ Internet & American Life Project released The Social Life of Health Information June 11, 2009, by Susannah Fox in which it was reported that in 2000, 46 percent of American adults had access to the Internet, 5 percent of U.S. households had broadband connections, and 25 percent of adults looked online for health information. In 2009, 74 percent of American adults go online, 57 percent of American households have broadband connections, and 61 percent of adults look online for health information.
Traditional Medical Sources Remain Important to Americans
In addition, the study found that Americans continue to turn to traditional sources of health information while searching online for information. Fox said 86 percent continue to ask a health professional, such as a doctor, for answers to their medical questions. About 68 percent ask a friend or family member, and 54 percent use books or other printed materials.
Consumers seek tailored health information. Half of all online health inquiries, Fox said in the study, are on behalf of someone other than the person typing in the search terms. About two-thirds of patients talk to a health professional with information garnered from online sources.
The study revealed Americans have taken several actions online:
- Read someone else’s commentary or experience about health or medical issues on an online news group, Web site or blog
- Consulted rankings or reviews online of doctors or other providers
- Consulted rankings or reviews online of hospitals or other medical facilities
- Signed up to receive updates about health or medical issues
- Listened to a podcast about health or medical issues
- Tagged or categorized online content about health or medical issues
- Posted comments, queries or information about health or medical matters in an online discussion, listserv or other online group forum
- Posted comments about health on a blog
- Posted a review online of a doctor
- Posted a review online of a hospital
- Shared photos, videos or audio files online about health or medical issues
Social Networking Sites Used Sparingly for Health Information
Despite the increasing popularity of social network sites and status update services, few people are using them to gather information. Less than half of patients use social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. Only a small portion have followed their friends’ personal health experiences or updates, posted their own health-related comments, gotten any health information or joined a health-information group. Some Americans use the sites to provide updates about themselves or to see updates about others.
Americans are turning to the Internet more and more to get health information for themselves and others, according to a study Pew Charitable Trusts released.
