Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106366

Michele L. Ybarra, MPH PhD, Internet Solutions for Kids, Inc., 74 Ashford, Irvine, CA 92618, 9492780889, Michele@Isolutions4Kids.org and Michael Suman, PhD, Center for the Digital Future, University of Southern California, USC Annenberg School for Communication, 300 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 3950, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

Surveying the Digital Future Year 4 is a nationally representative, longitudinal telephone survey conducted in summer, 2003 (N = 2,007). All people over the age of 12 years, who spoke either English or Spanish, and consented to participate were included. Self-reported characteristics related to using the Internet to find healthcare information are examined in three domains: 1) reasons for using the Internet as a resource; 2) one's assessment of the experience; and 3) actions taken as a result. Differences by gender and age are investigated via chi-square tests.

Forty-one percent of all respondents (56% of Internet users) used the Internet in the previous year to search for healthcare information. Most seekers (78%) felt more comfortable about information from a healthcare provider because of what they read online. Fifty-five percent contacted a healthcare provider because of information found online.

Significantly more females (65%) than males (35%) went online for healthcare information (p<.001). Among seekers, 46% of men said that information was easy to find online as compared to 37% of women (p<.01). Men also were significantly more likely to try to diagnose a problem (p = .02), whereas women were significantly more likely than men to seek support from others because of information found online (p<.01). Age also was influential in explaining noted differences. Among Internet users, 66% of middle aged people (40-59 years) looked for information online, as did 57% of people 60 years and older and 54% of young adults (20-39 years), as compared to 25% of children and adolescents (12-19 years) (p<.001). Although similarly high satisfaction ratings with the information found was reported across age groups (p>.05), older people tended to have more challenges. For example, 31% of people over the age of 60 wanted more information but didn't know where to find it as compared to 20% of middle aged people, 15% of young adults, and 16% of children and adolescents (p<.01).

Over half of Internet users report using the Internet as a source of healthcare information. Differences in assessment of experience and action taken were observed by gender and age. Findings have implications for targeted intervention and prevention programs, as well as the provision of medical care. Health behavior and perceptions of health services received are likely influenced by information found online, which may vary by gender and age.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Recognize the impact the Internet is having on consumer perceptions of healthcare providers and information received.
• 2. Analyze the differences in access of and experience with Internet health information by gender and
• age.
• 3. Articulate potential implications of observed demographic differences both for medical care and targeted public health prevention and intervention efforts.

Keywords: Internet, Health Information

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.