The Social Life of Health Information, Chronic Disease and the Internet
Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project
March 2010
The Internet has joined doctors and family members as one of the top three sources people use to find answers to their health questions. Research by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project and the California HealthCare Foundation found American adults with one or more chronic condition use the Internet to gather information manage their conditions.
Chronic Disease and the Internet
In March 2010, the Pew Internet & American Life Project and CHCF published Chronic Disease and the Internet. The study found that despite the wealth of medical information and medically related social networks available on the Internet, adults living with chronic conditions are disproportionately offline in an online world. According to the report, 81% of adults surveyed reporting no chronic diseases go online, while only 62% of adults living with one or more chronic conditions go online.
The Social Life of Health Information
In June 2009, the Pew Internet & American Life Project and CHCF published The Social Life of Health Information. The report found that of the 61% of American adults looking online for health information, 59% have done at least one of the following activities:
- Read someone else's commentary about health or medical issues on an online news group, Web site, 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.
Pew found a smaller subset (20%) 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 this June study, in 2000, 46% of American adults had access to the Internet, 5% of U.S. households had broadband connections, and 25% of American adults looked online for health information. Today, 75% of American adults go online, 57% of American households have broadband connections, and 61% 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.
The Pew findings for both studies are based on a national telephone survey conducted in December 2008. Some 2,253 adults aged 18 or older were interviewed about the social impact of the Internet on health care. The interviews were conducted in English or Spanish and included 502 mobile phone calls.
Both reports are available on the Pew Internet site through the External Links below.