Oral

In the age of Web 2.0 and widespread use of social and mobile media, health information seeking has become a complex process. Before the internet, people would typically talk to their doctor, look in a book or magazine, or ask a family member or friend if they had a health-related question. Now, there are numerous ways to obtain health information, many of which are available at any time. This session will examine health information seeking for different age groups throughout the lifespan and explore issues such as access to and usability of sources, and variations by sociodemographic characteristics. The session will also address the role health literacy plays in what sources people access and use, how well people understand the information they obtain, and whether people are able to adequately assess credibility of sources. Implications of health information seeking patterns for the dissemination of information and development of interventions will be discussed.

Session Objectives: 1. Explain health information seeking patterns of people from different age groups 2. Identify how social and mobile media strategies are being used to obtain health information 3. Discuss how health literacy impacts the process of health information seeking

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)