Today more Americans research health information on-line on an average day than visit health professionals. Indeed, the introduction of web technology to the health care industry has revolutionized the way doctors and patients interact, from health care professionals interfacing with colleagues and patients via e-mail to patients finding their health information and care options on-line.

Surveys from the Pew Internet and American Life Project report that 55% of the Internet user population, or fifty-two million adult Americans, have turned to the Internet for health information. The same study showed that the majority of on-line “health seekers” are looking for information on the progression, prognoses, and care options for specific diseases. Others seek nutrition and weight loss information or check report cards for hospitals, doctors, and insurers in their area. Finally, some seek support and ideas on how to cope with illness. (Fox S, Rainie L, Horrigan J, Lenhart A, Spooner T, Burke M, et al. The online health care revolution: How the web helps Americans take better care of themselves. Pew Internet and American Life Project.)

The following data on health information trends in Southeastern Pennsylvania come from Philadelphia Health Management Corporation’s 2002 Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey. The data highlight important issues in how consumers and patients get health information and the implications for patient outreach and education. It is also important to note that these issues and differences may be in part due to generational status, educational attainment and financial constraints, which must also be taken into consideration.

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, one out of seven adults, ages 18+, uses the Internet as their primary source of health information (15.1%). This percentage represents 433,100 persons who rely primarily on web-based sources for their medical needs. Over one-half of adults (58.7% or 1,678,200 persons) still rely on doctors or health care professionals as their primary source of health information. However, these health consumers may still use the Internet as a secondary source for health questions and concerns.

• Asian and white adults are more likely to use the Internet as their primary source of health information than Black adults (24.3%, 16.4% and 9.7%, respectively).
• Men are more likely than women to prefer obtaining information about health from the Internet (16.1% and 14.3% respectively) and slightly less likely to seek health information from a doctor or health professional (56.8% and 60.3%, respectively).
• Younger adults 18-39 (21.1%) are most likely to use the Internet as their primary source of health information and least likely to refer to a doctor or health professional (51.4%) compared to adults 40-59 (16.1% and 57.7%) and older adults 60+ (3.9% and 72.1%).

The type of health information sought by health consumers has important bearing on the way health professionals and web-based databases meet changing consumer/patient needs. In addition, differences in the interests of those who seek information from health professionals versus those who seek health information on-line offer important insight into the potential disadvantage of relying solely on the Internet for health information, as well as into how to protect Internet health consumers.

Of adults who use the Internet as their main source of health information, 35.6% look primarily for information on specific diseases and conditions, 19.7% look for information on wellness and disease prevention, 10.4% look for information about the body, and 9.7% look for information on medications. Of adults who use health professionals as their main source of health information, 21.0% primarily ask for information on specific diseases and conditions, 17.7% ask for information on wellness and disease prevention, 14.9% ask for information on the body, and 14.3% ask for information on medications.

• When considering all health information sources, white adults are more likely than Asian and black adults to look primarily for information on wellness and disease prevention (21.3%, 17.5% and 14.4%, respectively).
• Black adults are twice as likely as White adults to look primarily for information about the body (20.6% and 10.8%, respectively) and mental health (2.4% and 1.6%, respectively).
• Adults living below the federal poverty line are nearly half as likely to seek information on wellness and disease prevention compared to non-poor adults (11.2 % and 20.5%, respectively).

Not everyone has equal access to health information sources. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, poor and uninsured adults in particular have limited access to both the Internet and regular sources of health care, which are important issues to consider when discussing consumer and patient health education.

• Poor adults are twice as likely as non-poor adults to lack access to the Internet (59.2% and 28.2%, respectively) and are half as likely to access the Internet for health information compared to non-poor adults (6.7% and 16.2%, respectively).
• One out of seven poor adults does not have a regular source of health care from which to get health information (14.3% or 44,500 persons).
• Uninsured adults are more than three times as likely as insured adults to not seek any health information (7.3% and 2.1%, respectively) and have limited access to the Internet compared to insured adults (36.8% and 31.1% with no Internet access, respectively).

These findings indicate that while web-based health information is not replacing all face-to-face doctor patient interactions, it is becoming an important source of fast and easily accessible health information and health support for many consumers. As patients spend less time in doctor’s offices, many will continue to turn to the Internet for general health questions, in-depth information on specific conditions, and medication and treatment options. As Internet use continues to rise, the credibility and appropriate documentation of web-based health information will be an increasingly important issue for health consumers and providers and an integral part of maintaining and improving the health of Americans. For more information on sources of health information trends in Southeastern Pennsylvania, please contact Francine Axler at (215) 985-2521 or Francine@phmc.org.