The Social Life of Health Information

A survey by the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project and the California HealthCare Foundation describes how American adults use the Internet to gather and share health information and how trends have shifted in the last decade. Based on a national telephone survey conducted in December 2008, the study showed that 61 percent of American adults look online for health information. Of these "e-patients," 59 percent have done at least one of the following activities:

• Read someone else's commentary about health or medical issues on an online news group, website, or blog;
• Consulted online rankings or reviews of physicians or other providers;
• Consulted online rankings or reviews of hospitals or other medical facilities;
• Signed up to receive updates about health or medical issues; or
• Listened to a podcast about health or medical issues.

A smaller subset (20 percent) has actively contributed comments, reviews, and updates to online content. The study noted that increased use of wireless devices and increased participation in social applications by adults aged 18 to 49 indicate that the trend toward online health information exchange should continue to increase.

According to the study, 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 American adults looked online for health information. Today, 75 percent of American adults go online, 57 percent of American households have broadband connections, and 61 percent of adults look online for health information. Further, many adults now have wireless access to the Internet.

The health topic that attracted the most growth in interest was exercise and fitness. Other topics that gained audience share included specific diseases or medical problems; medical treatments or procedures; prescription or over-the-counter drugs; alternative treatments or medicines; depression, anxiety, stress, or mental health issues; and experimental treatments or medicines. For further information, visit PewInternet.org or CHCF.org.