TheSocialLifeof

HealthInformation,2011

SusannahFox,AssociateDirector
May12,2011

PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject
1615LSt.,NWSuite700
Washington,D.C.20036
2024194500|pewinternet.org

http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/SocialLifeofHealthInfo.aspx

SummaryofFindings

Idontknow,butIcantrytofindoutisthedefaultsettingfor
peoplewithhealthquestions.
Theinternethaschangedpeoplesrelationshipswithinformation.Ourdataconsistentlyshowthat
doctors,nurses,andotherhealthprofessionalscontinuetobethefirstchoiceformostpeoplewith
healthconcerns,butonlineresources,includingadvicefrompeers,areasignificantsourceofhealth
informationintheU.S.
ThesefindingsarebasedonanationaltelephonesurveyconductedinAugustandSeptember2010
among3,001adultsintheU.S.Thecompletemethodologyandresultsareappendedtothisreport.
Thesurveyfindsthat,ofthe74%ofadultswhousetheinternet:

80%ofinternetusershavelookedonlineforinformationaboutanyof15healthtopicssuchasa
specificdiseaseortreatment.Thistranslatesto59%ofalladults.
34%ofinternetusers,or25%ofadults,havereadsomeoneelsescommentaryorexperience
abouthealthormedicalissuesonanonlinenewsgroup,website,orblog.
25%ofinternetusers,or19%ofadults,havewatchedanonlinevideoabouthealthormedical
issues.
24%ofinternetusers,or18%ofadults,haveconsultedonlinereviewsofparticulardrugsor
medicaltreatments.
18%ofinternetusers,or13%ofadults,havegoneonlinetofindotherswhomighthavehealth
concernssimilartotheirs.
16%ofinternetusers,or12%ofadults,haveconsultedonlinerankingsorreviewsofdoctorsor
otherproviders.
15%ofinternetusers,or11%ofadults,haveconsultedonlinerankingsorreviewsofhospitals
orothermedicalfacilities.

Ofthosewhousesocialnetworksites(62%ofadultinternetusers,or46%ofalladults):

23%ofsocialnetworksiteusers,or11%ofadults,havefollowedtheirfriendspersonalhealth
experiencesorupdatesonthesite.
17%ofsocialnetworksiteusers,or8%ofadults,haveusedsocialnetworkingsitestoremember
ormemorializeotherpeoplewhosufferedfromacertainhealthcondition.
15%ofsocialnetworksiteusers,or7%ofadults,havegottenanyhealthinformationonthe
sites.

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Iknow,andIwanttosharemyknowledgeistheleadingedgeof
healthcare.
Asbroadbandandmobileaccessspreads,morepeoplehavetheabilityandincreasingly,thehabitof
sharingwhattheyaredoingorthinking.Inhealthcarethistranslatestopeopletrackingtheirworkout
routines,postingreviewsoftheirmedicaltreatments,andraisingawarenessaboutcertainhealth
conditions.
Thesearenotyetmainstreamactivities,buttherearepocketsofhighlyengagedpatientsandcaregivers
whoaretakinganactiveroleintrackingandsharingwhattheyhavelearned.
Ofadultswhousetheinternet:

27%ofinternetusers,or20%ofadults,havetrackedtheirweight,diet,exerciseroutineorsome
otherhealthindicatorsorsymptomsonline.
6%ofinternetusers,or4%ofadults,havepostedcomments,questionsorinformationabout
healthormedicalissuesonawebsiteofanykind,suchasahealthsiteornewssitethatallows
commentsanddiscussion.
4%ofinternetusers,or3%ofadults,havepostedtheirexperienceswithaparticulardrugor
medicaltreatment.
4%ofinternetusers,or3%ofadults,havepostedareviewonlineofadoctor.
3%ofinternetusers,or2%ofadults,havepostedareviewonlineofahospital.

Ofadultswhousesocialnetworksites:

14%ofsocialnetworksiteusers,or6%ofadults,haveraisedmoneyforordrawnattentiontoa
healthrelatedissueorcause.
11%ofsocialnetworksiteusers,or5%ofadults,havepostedcomments,queries,or
informationabouthealthormedicalmatters.
9%ofsocialnetworksiteusers,or4%ofadults,havestartedorjoinedahealthrelatedgroupon
asocialnetworkingsite.

Thesociallifeofhealthinformationisrobust.Theonlineconversationabouthealthisbeingdriven
forwardbytwoforces:1)theavailabilityofsocialtoolsand2)themotivation,especiallyamongpeople
livingwithchronicconditions,toconnectwitheachother.

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Acknowledgements
ThisreportistheresultofcollaborationbetweenthePewInternetProjectand
theCaliforniaHealthCareFoundation.
ThePewInternet&AmericanLifeProjectisaninitiativeofthePewResearchCenter,anonprofitfact
tankthatprovidesinformationontheissues,attitudesandtrendsshapingAmericaandtheworld.The
Projectisnonpartisanandtakesnopositiononpolicyissues.SupportisprovidedbyThePewCharitable
Trusts.
TheCaliforniaHealthCareFoundationisanindependentphilanthropycommittedtoimprovingtheway
healthcareisdeliveredandfinancedinCalifornia.

Allquantitative,numericaldataisbasedonaSeptember2010national
telephonesurveyconductedbyPrincetonSurveyResearchAssociates
International(PSRAI).
PSRAIisanindependentfirmdedicatedtohighqualityresearchprovidingreliable,validresultsfor
clientsintheUnitedStatesandaroundtheworld.

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MainReport
SocialMediainContext
Healthprofessionalsandofflineresourcesarecentraltohealthcare,butpeople
useonlinesocialtoolstogatherinformation,sharestories,anddiscuss
concerns.
Thisreportsetsouttoilluminatethedifferentwayspeopleseekhealthinformationaswellashow
peopleuseonlinesocialtoolstoshareknowledgewithlovedones,fellowpatients,andcaregivers.
Whenaskedtothinkaboutthelasttimetheyhadahealthissue,71%ofadultsintheU.S.saythey
receivedinformation,care,orsupportfromahealthprofessional.Fiftyfivepercentofadultssaythey
receivedsuchhelpfromfriendsandfamily.Twentyonepercentofadultssaytheyturnedtootherswho
havethesamehealthconditionforinformation,care,orsuppport.Thevastmajorityofrespondentssay
thoseinteractionshappenedoffline.

Thelasttimeyouhadahealthissue,did
yougetinformation,care,orsupport
from
Adoctororotherhealthcare
professional
Friendsandfamily
Otherswhohavethesamehealth
condition

Total
yes

Yes,
Yes,
online offline

Yes,
both

Nota
source

71%

1%

66%

4%

29%

55

42

12

44

21

16

77

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9September13,
2010Survey.N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3percentagepointsforthefull
sample.Onlinequestionswereaskedonlyofinternetusers(N=2065).

However,threequartersofU.S.adults(74%)usetheinternetand,ofthose,manyparticipateinan
onlineconversationabouthealth.Forexample:

80%ofinternetusershavelookedonlineforinformationaboutanyoneof15healthtopicssuch
asaspecificdiseaseortreatment.1Thistranslatesto59%ofalladults.
34%ofinternetusershavereadsomeoneelsescommentaryorexperienceabouthealthor
medicalissuesonanonlinenewsgroup,website,orblog.

Formoredetails,seeHealthTopics(PewInternet,2011).Availableat:
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/HealthTopics.aspx

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14%ofinternetusershavesigneduptoreceiveemailupdatesoralertsabouthealthormedical
issues.
6%ofinternetusershavepostedcomments,questionsorinformationabouthealthormedical
issuesonawebsiteofsomekind,suchasahealthsiteornewssitethatallowscommentsand
discussion.
5%ofinternetusershavepostedhealthrelatedcomments,questions,orinformationinan
onlinediscussion,alistserv,orotheronlinegroupforum.
4%ofinternetusershavepostedsuchcomments,questionsorinformationonablog.

Thesefindingsaresimilartothosewereportedin2009.2
Thissurveyisthefirsttimewecollectedthefollowingdatapoint:

25%ofinternetusershavewatchedanonlinevideoabouthealthormedicalissues.

Internetuserslivingwithoneormorechronicconditions3aremorelikelythanthosewhoreportno
conditionstohavedonethreeoftheaboveactivities:37%havereadsomeoneelseshealth
commentaryonline(vs.31%ofthosereportingnochronicconditions),31%havewatchedahealthvideo
online(vs.22%ofthosereportingnochronicconditions),and23%havesigneduptoreceiveemail
updatesaboutcertainhealthtopics(vs.9%ofthosereportingnochronicconditions).
Wirelessusersoutpaceotherinternetusersoneveryoneoftheaboveactivitiesbysignificantmargins.
Forexample,37%ofwirelessusershavereadaboutsomeoneelseshealthexperienceonline,compared
with24%ofotherinternetusers.Twentysevenpercentofwirelessusershavewatchedanonlinehealth
video,comparedwith21%ofotherusers.

Socialnetworksitesarepopular,butusedonlysparinglyforhealthupdatesand
queries.
AsofSeptember2010,62%ofadultinternetusersreportusingasocialnetworksitelikeMySpaceor
Facebook.Ofthatgroup:

23%ofsocialnetworkingsiteusershavefollowedtheirfriendspersonalhealthexperiencesor
updatesonthesite.Thistranslatesto11%ofalladults.
17%haveusedsocialnetworksitestorememberormemorializeotherpeoplewhosuffered
fromacertainhealthcondition.
15%havegottenanyhealthinformationonthesites.
14%haveraisedmoneyforordrawnattentiontoahealthrelatedissueorcause.

TheSocialLifeofHealthInformation(PewInternet:2009).Availableat:
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/8TheSocialLifeofHealthInformation.aspx
3
Respondentswereaskediftheyhavehighbloodpressure;diabetes;asthma,bronchitis,emphysema,orother
lungconditions;heartdisease,heartfailure,orheartattack;cancer;oranyotherchronichealthproblemor
condition.

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11%havepostedcomments,queries,orinformationabouthealthormedicalmatters.
9%havestartedorjoinedahealthrelatedgrouponasocialnetworkingsite.

Peoplecaringforlovedonesaremorelikelythanotheradultstousesocial
networksitestogatherandsharehealthinformationandsupport.
MorethanaquarterofadultsintheU.S.provideunpaidcaretoalovedone.Twentysevenpercentof
adultscareforanadultrelativeorfriend;5%ofadultscareforachildwithahealthconditionor
disability.4
Caregiversareonegroupthatissignificantlymorelikelythanotherstousesocialnetworksitesfor
healthrelatedpursuits:28%ofcaregiverswhousesocialnetworkssitessaytheyfollowfriendshealth
updates,comparedwith21%ofothersocialnetworksiteusers.Twentypercentofcaregiverswhouse
socialnetworksitessaytheyhavegatheredhealthinformationonsuchasite,comparedwith12%of
otherusers.
Socialnetworksitesarenotasignificantsourceofhealthinformationformostpeople,buttheycanbea
sourceofencouragementandcare.Inabookaboutsocialsupport,ConsequentialStrangers,authors
MelindaBlauandKarenFingermanwriteabouthowpeopleinourwidecirclesofacquaintanceoffer
practicalassistance,firsthandinformation,andaspecialbrandofnostringsemotionalcomfort.5
Onapracticallevel,thevastmajorityofpeoplelivingwithchronicconditionsneverattendtraditional,
inpersonsupportgroupmeetings,althoughstudiesshowtheycouldbenefitfromsuchgroups.6Instead,
peopleoftenmobilizetheirsocialconvoyoffamilymembers,friends,colleagues,fellowpatients,and
fellowcaregiversmanyofwhomarenowconnectedonlineviaemail,socialnetworksites,orbyother
means.AsBlauandFingermandescribeit:
Anaturalnetworkprovidesasafetynetandputsthepatientinchargeagoodbalanceinany
situation.Thinkofitascustomizingyourconvoy.Ifpeoplewhoarealreadyonboarddonthave
theinformation,experience,orempathyyouneed,youenlistotherswhodo.7
Inapatternthatmatchesthisobservation,peoplelivingwithoneormorechronicconditionsandthose
livingwithdisability8aresignificantlymorelikelythanothersocialnetworksiteuserstogatherhealth

Thewordcaregiversisusedthroughoutthisreporttorefertopeoplewho,inthepast12months,have
providedunpaidcaretoaparent,child,friend,orotherlovedone.Unpaidcareforanadultmayincludehelpwith
personalneedsorhouseholdchores,managingfinances,arrangingforoutsideservices,orvisitingregularlytosee
howtheyaredoing.Unpaidcaretoachildincludescareforanongoingorseriousshorttermcondition,emotional
orbehavioralproblems,ordevelopmentalproblems.
5
MelindaBlauandKarenL.Fingerman,PhD,ConsequentialStrangers:ThePowerofPeopleWhoDon'tSeemto
Matter...ButReallyDo(W.W.Norton&Company,2009).See:http://www.consequentialstrangers.com/about/
6
JasonE.Owenetal.,UseofHealthRelatedandCancerSpecificSupportGroupsAmongAdultCancerSurvivors
(Cancer69,2007).See:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17503435
7
BlauandFingerman(2009).
8
Respondentswereaskedsixseparatequestionsaboutphysicalandmentalabilities.

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informationonthesesites.Twentypercentofsocialnetworksiteuserslivingwithchronicconditionsdo
so,comparedwith12%ofsocialnetworksiteuserswhoreportnochronicconditions.Twentythree
percentofsocialnetworksiteuserslivingwithdisabilitygethealthinformationonthesesites,compared
with13%ofthosewhoreportnodisability.

Relativelyfewusehospitalrankinganddoctorreviewsites.
Hospitalanddoctorreviewsiteshavenotyetbecomehealthcaredecisionmakingtoolsformost
consumers.Onenationalsurveyfoundthatonly6%ofAmericanadultsareawareoftheCentersfor
Medicare&MedicaidsHospitalComparetool.9Ourcurrentsurveyfindsasimilarlylowusageofsuch
sitesamongadultinternetusers,matchingtrendswefirstreportedin2009.10

16%ofinternetusershaveconsultedonlinerankingsorreviewsofdoctorsorotherproviders.
15%ofinternetusershaveconsultedonlinerankingsorreviewsofhospitalsorothermedical
facilities.
4%ofinternetusershavepostedareviewonlineofadoctor.
3%ofinternetusershavepostedareviewonlineofahospital.

Again,caregiversaremorelikelythanothergroupstoengageintheseactivities.Forexample,21%of
onlinecaregiversconsultonlinedoctorreviews,comparedwith13%ofinternetusersnotcurrently
caringforalovedone.Twentypercentofonlinecaregiversconsultonlinehospitalreviews,compared
with12%ofotherinternetusers.
Eighteenpercentofinternetuserslivingwithoneormorechronicconditionshavelookedonlinefor
doctorrankingsorreviews,comparedwith14%ofinternetuserswhoreportnoconditions.Sixpercent
ofinternetuserslivingwithchronicdiseasehavepostedsuchareview,comparedwith3%ofthosewho
reportnoconditions.Bothofthosedifferencesarestatisticallysignificant,butmoreimportantly,they
aresignificantbecauseofthecontextofwhoismostlikelytobeafrequenthealthcareconsumer:
someonelivingwithachroniccondition.
Internetuserslivingwithdisabilitydonotreportahigherorlowerlikelihoodtoconsulthospitalrankings
anddoctorreviews.However,theyaremorelikelythanotherinternetuserstopostreviewsofdoctors
andotherhealthprofessionalsonline:8%doso,comparedwith4%ofthosewhoreportnodisability.

TaraLaguandPeterK.Lindenauer,PuttingthePublicBackinPublicReportingofHealthCareQuality.(Journal
oftheAmericanMedicalAssociation:2010;304(15):17111712.)See:http://jama.ama
assn.org/content/304/15/1711.extract
10
TheSocialLifeofHealthInformation,2009.

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Oneinfouradultinternetusershaveconsultedonlinereviewsofdrugsor
treatments.
InNovember2009,theU.S.FoodandDrugAdministrationheldapublichearingonhowcompaniesuse
theinternet,particularlysocialmedia,topromoteprescriptiondrugs,medicaldevices,andother
regulatedproducts.11Noregulationshavebeenissuedtodate.Butbecauseofthisheightenedinterest
inhowconsumersgatherandshareinformationaboutdrugs,weaddedanewcategoryofonline
reviewstothecurrentsurveyandfind:

24%ofinternetusershaveconsultedonlinereviewsofparticulardrugsormedicaltreatments.
4%ofinternetusershavepostedtheirexperienceswithaparticulardrugormedicaltreatment.

Fully38%ofonlinecaregivershaveconsultedonlinedrugreviews,comparedwith18%ofinternetusers
whodonottakecareofalovedone.Sevenpercentofonlinecaregivershavepostedsuchareview,
comparedwithjust2%ofotherinternetusers.
Thirtyonepercentofinternetuserslivingwithoneormorechronicconditionshavelookedatonline
drugreviews,comparedwith20%ofinternetusersreportingnoconditions.Sixpercentofinternetusers
livingwithchronicdiseasehavepostedanonlinereviewofadrugortreatment,comparedwith2%of
thosewithnoconditions.
Internetuserslivingwithdisabilityarejustaslikelyasotherpeopletolookupdrugreviews,buttheyare
morelikelythanotherpeopletosaytheyhavepostedtheirowntreatmentexperiencesonline.Nine
percentofinternetuserslivingwithdisabilitysaytheyhavepostedareviewofadrugortreatment,
comparedwith2%ofthosewhoreportnodisability.
Inaseparatequestionwefindthat24%ofinternetuserssaytheygoonlinetolookforinformation
aboutdrugsafetyorrecalls.12

Oneinfouradultinternetuserstracktheirownhealthdataonline.
CarolTorgan,ahealthsciencestrategist,pointsoutthatanyonewhomakesnoteoftheirblood
pressure,weight,ormenstrualcyclecouldbecategorizedasaselftracker.13Addanonline
component,andyouhavetheingredientsforasocialhealthapplicationoranelectronichealthrecord.
Oursurveyfindsthat15%ofinternetusershavetrackedtheirweight,diet,orexerciseroutineonline.In
addition,17%ofinternetusershavetrackedanyotherhealthindicatorsorsymptomsonline.Fully27%
ofadultinternetuserssayyestoeitherquestion.

11

See:http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDER/ucm184250.htm
Formoredetails,pleaseseeHealthTopics(PewInternet:2011).Availableat:
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/HealthTopics.aspx
13
CarolTorgan,Selftracking,Sensors,andmHealth:TrendsandOpportunities.(Presentationtothe2011
mHealthNetworkingConference.)See:http://www.caroltorgan.com/selftrackingsensorsmhealth/
12

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Wirelessusersaremorelikelythanotherinternetuserstotrackhealthdataonline.Eighteenpercentof
wirelessusershavetrackedtheirweight,diet,orexerciseroutineonline,comparedwith9%ofinternet
userswhodonothaveawirelessenabledlaptoporotherdevice.Nineteenpercentofwirelessusers
havetrackedanyotherhealthindicatorsorsymptomsonline,comparedwith11%ofnonwireless
internetusers.
Separately,lookingjustatthe85%ofadultswhoownacellphone,9%saytheyhavesoftware
applicationsorappsontheirphonesthathelpthemtrackormanagetheirhealth.

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10

Mobilehealthapps
Percentageofcellphoneusersineachgroupwhohaveasoftwareapplicationor"app"on
theirphonetohelpthemtrackormanagetheirhealth

Totalcellphoneusers
Gender
Male
Female
Race
White
AfricanAmerican
Hispanic
Age(attimeofsurvey)
1829
3049
5064
65+
Education
Somehighschool
Highschoolgraduate
Somecollege
Collegegraduateormore
HouseholdIncome
<$30,000
$30,000$49,999
$50,000$74,999
$75,000+
Language
English
Spanish
CommunityType
Rural
Suburban
Urban

9%
10
8
7
15*
11
15*
8
6
5
9
6
13*
9
7
8
12
11
9*
1
4
9
12*

*indicatesasignificantdifference
Source:PewResearchCenter'sInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9September13,
2010TrackingSurvey.N=3,001adultsandNforcellphoneusers=2,485.Themarginoferror
is+/2.5percentagepointsforalladultsand3pointsforcellphoneusers.

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Morepeoplereportbeinghelped,ratherthanharmed,byonlinehealth
information.
OneinthreeadultsintheU.S.(30%)saytheyorsomeonetheyknowhasbeenhelpedbyfollowing
medicaladviceorhealthinformationfoundonline.
Haveyouoranyoneyouknowbeenhelpedbyfollowingmedicaladviceor
healthinformationfoundontheinternet?

Alladults
Totalhelped
Yes,majorhelp
6%
Yes,moderatehelp

15

Yes,minorhelp

No/dontknow/refused

69

30%

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9
September13,2010Survey.N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3
percentagepointsforthefullsample.

Fully44%ofcaregiversreportthatonlinehealthresourceshavebeenhelpful.Adultswhowentthrough
arecentpersonalhealthchangegainingorlosingalotofweight,becomingpregnant,orquitting
smokingarealsoespeciallylikelytoreportbeinghelpedbyonlineresources:40%doso,compared
with28%ofotheradults.
Tenpercentofadultslivingwithtwoormorechronicconditionsunfortunatelyalargeandgrowing
sliceofthepopulationintheU.S.saytheyorsomeonetheyknowhasreceivedmajorhelpfromonline
healthinformation,comparedwith5%ofadultswhoreportnoconditions.
Just3%ofadultssaytheyorsomeonetheyknowhasbeenharmed.
Haveyouoranyoneyouknowbeenharmedbyfollowingmedicaladvice
orhealthinformationfoundontheinternet?

Alladults
Totalharmed
No/dontknow/refused
97%

Yes,minorharm
1
Yes,moderateharm

Yes,seriousharm

3%

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9
September13,2010Survey.N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3
percentagepointsforthefullsample.

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HealthTopics
Eightintenadultinternetuserslookforinformationonline.
Again,80%ofinternetusershavelookedonlineforinformationaboutatleastoneofthefollowing
topics:14

The%ofadultinternetuserswhohavelookedonlineforinformation
about
66

specificdiseaseormedicalproblem

56

certainmedicaltreatmentorprocedure

44

doctorsorotherhealthprofessionals

36

hospitalsorothermedicalfacilities

33

healthinsurance,includingprivateinsurance,MedicareorMedicaid

29

foodsafetyorrecalls

24

drugsafetyorrecalls

22

environmentalhealthhazards

19

pregnancyandchildbirth

17

memoryloss,dementia,orAlzheimers

16

medicaltestresults

14

howtomanagechronicpain

12

longtermcareforanelderlyordisabledperson

endoflifedecisions

28

anotherhealthtopicnotincludedinthesurvey

80

atleastoneoftheabovetopics

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9September
13,2010Survey.N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3percentagepointsfor
thefullsample.

Internetaccessdrivesinformationaccess.
SinceonequarterofU.S.adultsdonotgoonline,thepercentageofhealthinformationseekersislower
whencalculatedasapercentageofthetotalpopulation:59%ofalladultsintheU.S.lookonlinefor
healthinformation.
Women,nonHispanicwhites,youngeradults,andthosewithhigherlevelsofeducationandincomeare
morelikelythanotherdemographicgroupstogatherhealthinformationonline.

14

HealthTopics(2011).See:http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/HealthTopics.aspx

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13

Therearetwoforcesatplayinthedata:accesstotheinternetandinterestinhealthinformation.For
example,womenandmenareequallylikelytohaveaccesstotheinternet,butwomenaremorelikely
thanmentoreportgatheringhealthinformationonline,whichexplainsthegendergapinthechart
below.Fortheothergroups,theiroveralllowerrateofinternetadoptioncombinedwithlowerlevelsof
healthinformationseekingonlinedrivestheirnumbersdownsignificantlywhencomparedwithother
adults.

Lookingonlineforhealthinformation:Demographics

Percentagewhogo
online

Percentagewho
lookonlinefor
healthinformation

74%

59%

73
75

53
65

77
66
62

63
47
45

92
79
71
40

71
66
58
29

38
64
84
91

24
45
70
81

57
80
86
95

41
66
71
83

AlladultsintheU.S.
Gender
Male
Female
Race
White
AfricanAmerican
Latino
Age
1829
3049
5064
65+
Education
Somehighschool
Highschool
Somecollege
Collegegraduate
Householdincome
<$30,000
$30,000$49,999
$50,000$74,999
$75,000+

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9September
13,2010Survey.N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3percentagepointsfor
thefullsample.Marginsoferrorforsubpopulationsarehigher.

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14

Aswehavereportedinthepast,peoplewhoarelivingwithchronicdiseaseordisabilityarelikely,ifthey
haveinternetaccess,tobehighlyinterestedinonlinehealthinformation.15Forthosetwogroups,itis
theirlackofaccesstotheinternetwhichholdsthembackfromparitywithpeoplewhoreportno
chronicconditionsordisability.
Twoothergroupswithhigherratesofonlinehealthinformationgatheringincludecaregiversandpeople
whowentthrougharecentmedicalemergency.

Lookingonlineforhealthinformation:Healthstatus

AlladultsintheU.S.
Caregiverstatus
Currentlycaringforalovedone(N=860)
Notacaregiver
Recentmedicalcrisis
Experiencedwithinpastyearselforsomeone
close(N=982)
Norecentexperience
Recentpersonalhealthchange
Experiencedwithinpastyear(N=499)
Norecentexperience
Chronicdiseasestatus
Oneormorechronicconditions(N=1488)
Noconditions
Disabilitystatus
Oneormoredisabilities(N=906)
Nodisabilities

Percentagewho
goonline

Percentagewholook
onlineforhealth
information

74%

59%

79
71

70
54

76

65

72

55

68
75

56
59

64
81

53
62

54
81

42
65

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9September13,2010Survey.
N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3percentagepointsforthefullsample.Marginsoferror
forsubpopulationsarehigher.

15

ChronicDiseaseandtheInternet(PewInternetProject:March24,2010).Availableat:
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/ChronicDisease.aspx

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15

Healthinformationisgoingmobile.
EightyfivepercentofadultsintheU.S.ownacellphone.Ofthose,17%haveusedtheirphonetolook
uphealthormedicalinformation.Bycomparison,sevenintencellphoneownerssendorreceivetext
messages;sevenintenusetheirphonestotakepictures;fourintenaccesstheinternetontheir
phones;and35%havesoftwareapplicationsorappsontheirphones.16

AlladultsintheU.S.
Gender
Male
Female
Race
White
AfricanAmerican
Latino
Age
1829
3049
5064
65+
Education
Somehighschool
Highschool
Somecollege
Collegegraduate
Householdincome
<$30,000
$30,000$49,999
$50,000$74,999
$75,000+
Language
English
Spanish(N=197)
Communitytype
Rural
Suburban
Urban

Percentagewhoowna
cellphone
85%

Percentagewhouseacellphone
tolookforhealthinfo
15%

88
82

15
13

85
79
84

13
15
21

96
90
85
58

28
16
6
5

69
82
91
90

16
10
19
18

75
90
93
95

11
15
16
18

85
74

15
10

77
86
84

9
14
18

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9September13,2010
Survey.N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3percentagepointsforthefullsample.
Marginsoferrorforsubpopulationsarehigher.

16

TheRiseofAppsCulture(PewInternetProject:September14,2010).Availableat:http://
pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/TheRiseofAppsCulture.aspx

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16

Thetypicalsearchforhealthinformationisonbehalfofsomeoneelse.
Halfofinternetusers(48%)whogoonlineforhealthinformationsaytheirlastsearchwasonbehalfof
anotherperson,36%saytheirlastsearchwasonbehalfofthemselves,and11%sayitwasbothfor
themselvesandsomeoneelse.Thus,whileeightinteninternetusersgoonlineforhealthinformation,
theimpactoftheirinquiriesmaybeevenbroader.Andwhilesomegroups,suchasthechronicallyilland
thoselivingwithdisability,arelesslikelytobeonlineandsearchingforhealthinformation,itdoesnot
meanthatthisinformationdoesnotreachthemthroughasurrogateofsomekind.

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17

PeertopeerHealthcare
Oneinfiveadultinternetusershavegoneonlinetofindotherswithhealth
concernssimilartotheirown.
Theinternetconnectspeoplewhoshareinterestsofallkindsandhealthisnoexception.Eighteen
percentofinternetusershavegoneonlinetofindotherswhomighthavehealthconcernssimilarto
theirs.17Twentythreepercentofinternetuserslivingwithatleastoneoffivechronicconditionsnamed
inthesurveyhavelookedonlineforsomeonewithsimilarhealthconcerns,comparedwith15%ofthose
whoreportnoconditions.

Lookingonlineforsomeonelikeyou:Healthstatus
Percentageofinternetusersin
eachgroupwhohavelooked
onlineforotherswithsimilar
healthconcerns

Allinternetusers
Caregiverstatus
Currentlycaringforalovedone
Notacaregiver
Recentmedicalcrisis
Experiencedwithinpastyear
selforsomeoneclose
Norecentexperience
Recentpersonalhealthchange
Experiencedwithinpastyear
Norecentexperience
Chronicdiseasestatus
Oneormorechronicconditions
Noconditions
Disabilitystatus
Oneormoredisabilities(N=439)
Nodisabilities

18%
26*
15
23*
16
24*
17
23*
15
20
18

*indicatesasignificantdifference
Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9
September13,2010Survey.N=2065internetusersage18+.Marginoferroris
+/3percentagepointsforthefullsample.Marginsoferrorforsub
populationsarehigher.

17

PeertopeerHealthcare(PewInternetProject:February28,2011).Availableat:
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/P2PHealthcare.aspx

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18

Internetuserswhohaveexperiencedarecentmedicalemergency,theirownorsomeoneelses,arealso
morelikelythanotherinternetuserstogoonlinetotrytofindsomeonewhosharestheirsituation:
23%,comparedwith16%.ThisfitsthepatternobservedinPewInternetsotherresearchthatpeople
goingthroughamedicalcrisisarevoraciousinformationconsumers:85%saytheylookonlineforhealth
information,comparedwith77%ofinternetuserswhohavenothadthatexperienceinthepastyear.
Internetuserswhohaveexperiencedasignificantchangeintheirphysicalhealth,suchasweightlossor
gain,pregnancy,orquittingsmokingarealsomorelikelythanotherinternetuserstohavelookedonline
forsomeonelikethem.

Healthprofessionals,friends,familymembers,andfellowpatientsareallpartof
themix.
Evenwiththeproliferationofmobileandonlineopportunities,however,mostadultssearchforhealth
informationremainsanchoredintheofflineworld.Mostpeopleturntoahealthprofessional,friend,or
familymemberwhentheyhaveahealthquestion;theinternetplaysagrowingbutstillsupplemental
roleandmobileconnectivityhasnotchangedthat.
Again,whenaskedaboutthelasttimetheyhadahealthissue,71%ofadultsintheU.S.saythey
receivedinformation,care,orsupportfromahealthprofessional.Fiftyfivepercentofadultssaythey
turnedtofriendsandfamily.Twentyonepercentofadultssaytheyturnedtootherswhohavethesame
healthcondition.
Themajorityoftheseinteractionshappenoffline:just5%ofadultssaytheyreceivedonlineinformation,
care,orsupportfromahealthprofessional,13%saytheyhadonlinecontactwithfriendsandfamily,
and5%saytheyinteractedonlinewithfellowpatients.

Thelasttimeyouhadahealthissue,did
yougetinformation,care,orsupport
from
Adoctororotherhealthcare
professional
Friendsandfamily
Otherswhohavethesamehealth
condition

Total
yes

Yes,
Yes,
online offline

Yes,
both

Nota
source

71%

1%

66%

4%

29%

55

42

12

44

21

16

77

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9September13,
2010Survey.N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3percentagepointsforthefull
sample.Onlinequestionswereaskedonlyofinternetusers(N=2065).

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19

Peopleturntodifferentsourcesfordifferentkindsofinformation.
Alladultswereaskedwhichgroupismorehelpfulwhentheyneedcertaintypesofinformationor
support:healthprofessionalslikedoctorsandnursesorpeerslikefellowpatients,friends,andfamily.
Thepatternofresponseswasprettyclear:Whentheiteminvolvedtechnicalissuesrelatedtoahealth
issue,professionalsheldsway.Whentheiteminvolvedmorepersonalissuesofhowtocopewitha
healthissueorgetquickrelief,thennonprofessionalswerepreferredbymostpatients.

Whoismorehelpfulwhenyou
need

Professional
sourceslike
doctorsand
nurses

Timeswhenprofessionalsmattermost
Anaccuratemedicaldiagnosis
91%
Informationaboutprescription
85
drugs
Informationaboutalternative
63
treatments
Arecommendationforadoctor
62
orspecialist
Arecommendationfora
62
hospitalorothermedicalfacility
Timeswhennonprofessionalsmattermost
Emotionalsupportindealing
30
withahealthissue
Aquickremedyforaneveryday
41
healthissue
Timeswhenthetwogroupsareequallyhelpful
Practicaladviceforcopingwith
43
daytodayhealthsituations

Fellow
patients,
friends,and
family

Both
equally

5%

2%

24

27

27

59

51

46

Source:PewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject,August9
September13,2010Survey.N=3001adultsandthemarginoferroris+/3
percentagepointsforthefullsample.

Manypeoplefindtheinternettobeavaluabletool,whethertheyareusingittosearchforaquick
answerorgainadeeperunderstandingofanewtreatmentoptionorprescription.Theinternetisalso,
asthisstudyshows,awaytotapintoourinstinctstogathertogether,helpotherpeople,andbehelped
ourselves.

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20

Methodology

NationalTelephoneSurvey
AllnumericalresultsinthisreportarebasedondatafromtelephoneinterviewsconductedbyPrinceton
SurveyResearchAssociatesInternationalbetweenAugust9andSeptember13,2010,amongasample
of3,001adults,age18andolder.InterviewswereconductedinEnglishandSpanish.Forresultsbased
onthetotalsample,onecansaywith95%confidencethattheerrorattributabletosamplingisplusor
minus2.5percentagepoints.Forresultsbasedoninternetusers(n=2,065),themarginofsampling
errorisplusorminus2.9percentagepoints.Inadditiontosamplingerror,questionwordingand
practicaldifficultiesinconductingtelephonesurveysmayintroducesomeerrororbiasintothefindings
ofopinionpolls.
Acombinationoflandlineandcellularrandomdigitdial(RDD)sampleswasusedtorepresentalladults
inthecontinentalUnitedStateswhohaveaccesstoeitheralandlineorcellulartelephone.Bothsamples
wereprovidedbySurveySamplingInternational,LLC(SSI)accordingtoPSRAIspecifications.The
landlinesampleforthissurveywasdesignedtogeneralizetotheU.S.adultpopulationandto
oversampleAfricanAmericansandHispanics.Toachievetheseobjectivesinacosteffectivemanner,the
designusesstandardlistassistedrandomdigitdialing(RDD)methodology,buttelephonenumbersare
drawndisproportionatelyfromtelephoneexchangeswithhigherthanaveragedensityofAfrican
Americanand/orHispanichouseholds.Thecellularsamplewasnotlistassisted,butwasdrawnthrough
asystematicsamplingfromdedicatedwireless100blocksandsharedservice100blockswithno
directorylistedlandlinenumbers.

Newsamplewasreleaseddailyandwaskeptinthefieldforatleastfivedays.Thesamplewasreleased
inreplicates,whicharerepresentativesubsamplesofthelargerpopulation.Thisensuresthatcomplete
callprocedureswerefollowedfortheentiresample.Atleast7attemptsweremadetocompletean
interviewatasampledtelephonenumber.Thecallswerestaggeredovertimesofdayanddaysofthe
weektomaximizethechancesofmakingcontactwithapotentialrespondent.Eachnumberreceivedat
leastonedaytimecallinanattempttofindsomeoneavailable.Forthelandlinesample,halfofthetime
interviewersfirstaskedtospeakwiththeyoungestadultmalecurrentlyathome.Ifnomalewasat
homeatthetimeofthecall,interviewersaskedtospeakwiththeyoungestadultfemale.Fortheother
halfofthecontactsinterviewersfirstaskedtospeakwiththeyoungestadultfemalecurrentlyathome.
Ifnofemalewasavailable,interviewersaskedtospeakwiththeyoungestadultmaleathome.Forthe
cellularsample,interviewswereconductedwiththepersonwhoansweredthephone.Interviewers
verifiedthatthepersonwasanadultandinasafeplacebeforeadministeringthesurvey.Cellular
samplerespondentswereofferedapostpaidcashincentivefortheirparticipation.Allinterviews
completedonanygivendaywereconsideredtobethefinalsampleforthatday.

Disproportionatesamplingandnonresponseintelephoneinterviewscanproducebiasesinsurvey
derivedestimates.Thedatasetwasweightedintwostages.Thefirststageofweightingcorrectedfor
thedisproportionatelandlinesampledesignandalsoaccountedfortheoverlappinglandlineandcellular
sampleframesaswellasdifferentprobabilitiesofselectionassociatedwiththenumberofadultsinthe
household.Thesecondstageofweightingmatchedoverallsampledemographicstopopulation
parameters.Thedemographicweightingparametersarederivedfromaspecialanalysisofthemost
recentlyavailableCensusBureausMarch2009AnnualSocialandEconomicSupplement.Thisanalysis
producespopulationparametersforthedemographiccharacteristicsofadultsage18orolder.These

pewinternet.org

21

parametersarethencomparedwiththesamplecharacteristicstoconstructsampleweights.The
weightsarederivedusinganiterativetechniquethatsimultaneouslybalancesthedistributionofall
weightingparameters.Followingisthefulldispositionofallsampledtelephonenumbers:
Table1:SampleDisposition
Landline
Cell

53,160
17,075
TotalNumbersDialed
2,613
2,430
21
27,936
4,308
15,852
29.8%

441
32

6,428
311
9,863
57.8%

Nonresidential
Computer/Fax
Cellphone
Othernotworking
Additionalprojectednotworking
Workingnumbers
WorkingRate

1,436
2,734
84
11,598
73.2%

104
2,370
17
7,372
74.7%

NoAnswer/Busy
VoiceMail
OtherNonContact
Contactednumbers
ContactRate

1,020
8,303
2,275
19.6%

1,027
4,597
1,748
23.7%

Callback
Refusal
Cooperatingnumbers
CooperationRate

158

2,117
93.1%

60
646
1,042
59.6%

LanguageBarrier
Child'scellphone
Eligiblenumbers
EligibilityRate

116
2,001
94.5%

42
1,000
96.0%

Breakoff
Completes
CompletionRate

13.6%

17.0%

ResponseRate

Thedispositionreportsallofthesampledtelephonenumberseverdialedfromtheoriginaltelephone
numbersamples.Theresponserateestimatesthefractionofalleligiblerespondentsinthesamplethat
wereultimatelyinterviewed.AtPSRAIitiscalculatedbytakingtheproductofthreecomponentrates:

Contactratetheproportionofworkingnumberswherearequestforinterviewwasmade

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22

Cooperationratetheproportionofcontactednumberswhereaconsentforinterviewwasat
leastinitiallyobtained,versusthoserefused
Completionratetheproportionofinitiallycooperatingandeligibleinterviewsthatwere
completed
Thustheresponserateforthelandlinesamplewas13.6percent.Theresponserateforthecellular
samplewas17.0percent.

pewinternet.org

23

Questions
FinalTopline

AugustHealthTrackingSurvey2010

9/17/10

DataforAugust9September13,2010
PrincetonSurveyResearchAssociatesInternational

forthePewResearchCentersInternet&AmericanLifeProject

Sample:n=3,001nationaladults,age18andolder,including1,000cellphoneinterviews
Interviewingdates:08.09.1009.13.10

Marginoferrorisplusorminus3percentagepointsforresultsbasedonTotal[n=3,001]
Marginoferrorisplusorminus3percentagepointsforresultsbasedoninternetusers[n=2,065]
Marginoferrorisplusorminus3percentagepointsforresultsbasedoncellphoneusers[n=2,485]
Marginoferrorisplusorminus3percentagepointsforresultsbasedononlinehealthseekers[n=1,655]

Q1

Overall,howwouldyouratethequalityoflifeforyouandyourfamilytoday?Wouldyousayit
isexcellent,verygood,good,fairorpoor?

CURRENT

17
26
34
16
6
*
*

Excellent
Verygood
Good
Fair
Poor
Dontknow
Refused

Q6a

Doyouusetheinternet,atleastoccasionally?
Doyousendorreceiveemail,atleastoccasionally?

Q6b

DOES NOT USE

INTERNET

USES INTERNET

74

Current

26

Q7

DidyouhappentousetheinternetYESTERDAY?
Basedonallinternetusers[N=2,065]

YES,USEDINTERNET
YESTERDAY

NO,DIDNOTUSE
INTERNETYESTERDAY

76

24

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

Current

pewinternet.org

24

Q8

Abouthowoftendoyouusetheinternetoremailfrom[INSERTINORDER]severaltimesa
day,aboutonceaday,35daysaweek,12daysaweek,everyfewweeks,lessoftenornever?
Basedonallinternetusers[N=2,065]
SEVERAL
TIMESA
DAY

a.Home

Current

b.Work

43

Current

ABOUT
ONCEA
DAY

35DAYS
AWEEK

21

34

13

12

LESS
OFTEN

EVERY
FEW
WEEKS

12DAYS
AWEEK

REFUSED

DONT
KNOW

NEVER

48

ThereisnoQuestionQ9.

Q10

AsIreadthefollowinglistofitems,pleasetellmeifyouhappentohaveeachone,ornot.Do
youhave[INSERTITEMSINORDER]?

YES

a.

Adesktopcomputer

AcellphoneoraBlackberryor
iPhoneorotherdevicethatis
alsoacellphone
Anelectronicbookdeviceore
Bookreader,suchasaKindleor
SonyDigitalBook

Current

g.

85

15

95

47

53

42

57

AtabletcomputerlikeaniPad
Current

AniPodorotherMP3player
AgameconsolelikeXboxor
PlayStation

REFUSED

48

Current

f.

40

52

Current

e.

Current

d.

DONTKNOW

Alaptopcomputerornetbook
Current

c.

59

Current

b.

NO

96

pewinternet.org

25

Q11

Doesanyoneinyourhouseholdhaveaworkingcellphone?
Basedonnoncellphoneusers

CURRENT

33
67
*
*

Yes
No
Dontknow
Refused

[n=516]

Q12

Onyourlaptopcomputerornetbook,doyoueveruseawirelessconnectionsuchasWIFIor
mobilewirelessbroadbandtoaccesstheinternet?
Basedoninternetuserswhohavealaptopornetbook

YES

Current[N=1,327]

84

NO

DONTKNOW

16

REFUSED

Q13

ThinkingnowjustaboutyourcellphonePleasetellmeifyoueveruseyourcellphonetodo
anyofthefollowingthings.Doyoueveruseyourcellphoneto[INSERTITEMS;ALWAYSASKab
FIRSTinorder;RANDOMIZEce]?
Basedoncellphoneusers

YES

a.

c.

74

26

30

70

39

61

93

Participateinavideocall,video
chatorteleconference
Current

pewinternet.org

REFUSED

Accesstheinternet
Current

e.

66

SendorreceiveInstantMessages
Current

d.

34

Sendorreceivetextmessages
Current

DONTKNOW

Sendorreceiveemail
Current[N=2,485]

b.

NO

26

WIRELESSWirelessinternetuse

18

WIRELESSINTERNET
USER

Current

INTERNETUSERBUT
NOTWIRELESS

57

20

ALLOTHERS

23

Q14

Onyourcellphone,doyouhappentohaveanysoftwareapplicationsorappsthathelpyou
trackormanageyourhealth,ornot?
Basedoncellphoneusers[N=2,485]

CURRENT

9
90
1

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

Q15

Doyoueveruseyourcellphonetolookuphealthormedicalinformation?
Basedoncellphoneusers[N=2,485]

CURRENT

WEB1

17
83
*

Yes,dothis
No,donotdothis
Dontknow

Refused

Next...Pleasetellmeifyoueverusetheinternettodoanyofthefollowingthings.Doyouever
usetheinternetto?/Didyouhappentodothisyesterday,ornot?
Basedonallinternetusers[N=2,065]

Sendorreademail
Current

Getnewsonline
Current

Researchaproductorserviceonline
Current

Takepartinchatroomsoronline
discussionswithotherpeople

TOTALHAVE
EVERDONE
THIS

DID
YESTERDAY

HAVENOT
DONETHIS

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

91

61

72

39

28

78

28

22

18

Definitionsforwirelessinternetusemayvaryfromsurveytosurvey.

pewinternet.org

27

Current

Playonlinegames
Current

Searchonlineforamapordriving
directions
Current

PAYtoaccessordownloaddigitalcontent
online,suchasmusic,video,or
newspaperarticles
Current

Paybillsonline
Current

Useasocialnetworkingsitelike
MySpace,FacebookorLinkedIn.com
Current

Categorizeortagonlinecontentlikea
photo,newsstoryorblogpost
Current

22

78

36

13

64

82

14

18

43

10

56

57

15

43

62

39

38

33

11

66

32

67

24

13

76

23

77

96

Postacommentorreviewonlineabouta
productyouboughtoraserviceyou
received
Current

UseTwitteroranotherservicetoshare
updatesaboutyourselfortoseeupdates
aboutothers
Current

Participateinavideocall,videochator
teleconference
Current

UseaservicesuchasFoursquareor
Gowallathatallowsyoutoshareyour
locationwithfriendsandtofindothers
whoarenearyou
Current

Q16

Ingeneral,howwouldyourateyourownhealthexcellent,good,onlyfair,orpoor?

CURRENT

30
49
16
5
*
*

pewinternet.org

Excellent
Good
Onlyfair
Poor
Dontknow
Refused

28

Q17

Areyounowlivingwithanyofthefollowinghealthproblemsorconditions[INSERT;
RANDOMIZEae;ASKfLAST]?

a.

Diabetesorsugardiabetes
Current

b.

Highbloodpressure
Current

c.

Asthma,bronchitis,emphysema,orother
lungconditions
Current

d.

Heartdisease,heartfailureorheartattack
Current

e.

Cancer
Current

f.

Anyotherchronichealthproblemor
conditionIhaventalreadymentioned
Current

YES

NO

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

11

89

24

75

12

88

94

97

17

82

Q18

Inthelast12months,haveyoupersonallyfacedaseriousmedicalemergencyorcrisis?

Q19

CURRENT

12
88
*
*

Yes
No
Dontknow
Refused

Andinthelast12months,haveyouexperiencedanyothersignificantchangeinyourphysical
health,suchasgainingorlosingalotofweight,becomingpregnant,orquittingsmoking?

CURRENT

17
83
*
*

Yes
No
Dontknow
Refused

Q20

IsthereanyoneclosetoyouwhohasaCHRONICmedicalcondition,suchasasthma,diabetes,
heartdisease,highbloodpressure,cancer,oranotherchroniccondition?

CURRENT

47
53
*
*

pewinternet.org

Yes
No
Dontknow
Refused

29

Q21

Inthelast12months,hasanyoneclosetoyoufacedaseriousmedicalemergencyorcrisis?19

CURRENT

DEC2008

AUGUST2006

27
72

Yes
No

31
69

34
65

Dontknow

Refused

19

TrendquestionwordingwasAndinthelast12months,haveyouorhassomeoneclosetoyoufacedaserious
medicalemergencyorcrisis?

pewinternet.org

30

22

Now,wedliketoaskifyouvelookedforinformationONLINEaboutcertainhealthormedical
issues.Specifically,haveyoueverlookedonlinefor[INSERTITEM;ASKadINORDER;
RANDOMIZEen;ASKoLAST]?
Basedonallinternetusers[N=2,065]
a.

YES,HAVE
DONETHIS

Informationaboutaspecificdiseaseor
medicalproblem
Current
December2008
August2006
November2330,2004
December2002

b.

Informationaboutacertainmedical
treatmentorprocedure
Current
December2008
August2006
November2330,2004
December2002

c.

Informationaboutdoctorsorotherhealth
professionals
Current
December2008

d.

Informationabouthospitalsorother
medicalfacilities
Current
December2008

e.

Informationrelatedtohealthinsurance,
includingprivateinsurance,Medicareor
Medicaid
Current
December2008
August200620

NO,HAVENOT
DONETHIS

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

66

34

66

34

64

36

66

34

63

37

56

44

55

45

51

48

51

48

47

53

44

56

47

53

36

64

38

62

33

67

37

63

33

67

Q22continued

20

August2006trendwasrecalculatedtoreflectcombinedresponsesfortwoseparateitems:Informationrelated
tohealthinsuranceandInformationaboutMedicareorMedicaid

pewinternet.org

31

Q22continued

f.

YES,HAVE
DONETHIS

Informationaboutenvironmentalhealth
hazards
Current
August2006
November2330,2004

g.

22

77

22

78

17

83

19

81

93

12

88

29

70

24

76

14

86

16

83

17

83

28

72

Informationaboutendoflifedecisions
Informationaboutlongtermcareforan
elderlyordisabledperson
Informationaboutfoodsafetyorrecalls
Informationaboutdrugsafetyorrecalls
Informationabouthowtomanagechronic
pain

m. Informationaboutmedicaltestresults
Current
Informationaboutmemoryloss,
dementia,orAlzheimers
Current
o.

Informationaboutpregnancyand
childbirth

Current

n.

Current
l.

Current
k.

82

Current
j.

REFUSED

18

Current
i.

DONTKNOW

December2002

Current
h.

NO,HAVENOT
DONETHIS

Informationaboutanyotherhealthissue
Current
December2008

Totalyestoanyitemabove
Totalnotoallitems

26

73

80

20

pewinternet.org

32

Q23

ThinkingabouttheLASTtimeyouwentonlineforhealthormedicalinformationDidyougo
onlinetolookforinformationrelatedtoYOUROWNhealthormedicalsituationorSOMEONE
ELSEShealthormedicalsituation?
Basedononlinehealthseekers

CURRENT

DECEMBER2008

AUGUST2006

DECEMBER2002

36
48

Own
Someoneelses

41
43

36
48

37
49

11

Both(VOL.)

Dontknow

Refused

[1,655]

[1,356]

[1,594]

[1,017]

pewinternet.org

33

Q24

Apartfromlookingforinformationonline,therearemanydifferentactivitiesrelatedtohealth
andmedicalissuesapersonmightdoontheinternet.Imgoingtoreadalistofonlinehealth
relatedactivitiesyoumayormaynothavedone.Justtellmeifyouhappentodoeachone,or
not.(First,/Next,)haveyou[INSERTITEM;RANDOMIZE;ALWAYSASKefTOGETHER,IN
ORDER]?21

a.

Signeduptoreceiveemailupdatesoralerts
abouthealthormedicalissues22
Currentinternetusers[N=2,065]
Currentonlinehealthseekers[N=1,655]
Dec2008onlinehealthseekers[N=1,356]

b.

Readsomeoneelse'scommentaryor
experienceabouthealthormedicalissueson
anonlinenewsgroup,websiteorblog
Currentinternetusers
Currentonlinehealthseekers
Dec2008onlinehealthseekers

c.

Watchedanonlinevideoabouthealthor
medicalissues
Currentinternetusers
Currentonlinehealthseekers

d.

Goneonlinetofindotherswhomighthave
healthconcernssimilartoyours
Currentinternetusers
Currentonlinehealthseekers

e.

Trackedyourweight,dietorexerciseroutine
online
Currentinternetusers
Currentonlinehealthseekers

f.

Trackedanyotherhealthindicatorsor
symptomsonline
Currentinternetusers
Currentonlinehealthseekers

YES

NO

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

14

86

17

82

19

81

34

66

41

58

41

59

25

75

31

69

18

82

23

77

15

84

19

81

17

83

21

79

21

Currentquestionwasaskedofallinternetusers[N=2,065].December2008trendquestionwordingwasThere
aremanydifferentactivitiesrelatedtohealthandmedicalissuesapersonmightdoontheinternet.Imgoingto
readalistofthingsyoumayormaynothaveeverdoneonlinerelatedtohealthandmedicalissues.Justtellmeif
youhappenedtodoeachone,ornot.Haveyou[INSERTITEM;ROTATE]?Questionwasaskedofonlinehealth
seekers[N=1,356].
22
December2008trenditemwordingwasSigneduptoreceiveupdatesabouthealthormedicalissues

pewinternet.org

34

Q25

Werealsointerestedinanyhealthrelatedmaterialyoumayhavepostedonline.Haveyou
postedcomments,questionsorinformationabouthealthormedicalissues[INSERT;
RANDOMIZE;ALWAYSASKeLAST]?
Basedonallinternetusers

a.

YES

NO

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

Inanonlinediscussion,alistserv,or
otheronlinegroupforum

Current[N=2,065]

95

94

96

96

11

89

15

85

92

11

89

94

94

Dec2008[N=1,650]
b.

Onablog
Current
Dec2008

ItemC:BasedonSNSusers
c.

Onasocialnetworkingsitesuchas
Facebook,MySpaceorLinkedIn
Current[N=1,202]
Dec2008[N=459]

ItemD:BasedonTwitterusers
d.

OnTwitteroranotherstatusupdate
site23
Current[N=433]
Dec2008[N=128]

e.

Onawebsiteofanykind,suchasahealth
siteornewssitethatallowscomments
anddiscussion
Current
Dec2008

23

December2008trenditemwordingwasOnTwitterorotherstatusupdates

pewinternet.org

35

Q26

ThinkingspecificallyaboutwhatyouhavedoneonsocialnetworkingsiteslikeFacebookand
MySpaceHaveyoueverusedthesesitesto[INSERTITEM;RANDOMIZE]?(Next,)haveyou
everusedasocialnetworkingsiteto[INSERTITEM]?24
BasedonSNSusers

a.

Gethealthinformation25
Current[N=1,202]
Dec2008[N=459]

b.

Startorjoinahealthrelatedgroup26
Current
Dec2008

c.

Followyourfriendspersonalhealth
experiencesorhealthupdates27
Current
Dec2008

d.

Raisemoneyordrawattentiontoa
healthrelatedissueorcause
Current

e.

Rememberormemorializeotherswho
sufferedfromacertainhealthcondition
Current

YES

NO

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

15

85

11

89

91

94

23

77

20

80

14

86

17

82

24

December2008trendquestionwordingwasThinkingaboutwhatyouhavedoneonsocialnetworkingsiteslike
FacebookandMySpace,haveyou[INSERTITEM;ROTATE]?
25
December2008trenditemwordingwasGottenanyhealthinformationonthesites
26
December2008trenditemwordingwasStartedorjoinedahealthrelatedgrouponasocialnetworkingsite
27
December2008trenditemwordingwasFollowedyourfriendspersonalhealthexperiencesorupdatesonthe
site

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[ROTATEQ27Q28]

Q27

HaveyouorhasanyoneyouknowbeenHELPEDbyfollowingmedicaladviceorhealth
informationfoundontheinternet?[IFYES:WouldyousaytheinformationprovidedMAJOR
help,MODERATEhelporMINORhelp?]

CURRENT

DECEMBER2008

6
15
9
65

Yes,majorhelp
Yes,moderatehelp
Yes,minorhelp
No

10
20
11
50

Dontknow

Refused

Q28

HaveyouorhasanyoneyouknowbeenHARMEDbyfollowingmedicaladviceorhealth
informationfoundontheinternet?[IFYES:WouldyousaytheinformationcausedSERIOUS
harm,MODERATEharmorMINORharm?]

CURRENT

DECEMBER2008

1
1
1
95

Yes,seriousharm
Yes,moderateharm
Yes,minorharm
No

1
1
1
94

Dontknow

Refused

pewinternet.org

37

Q29

Thinkingagainabouthealthrelatedactivitiesyoumayormaynotdoonline,haveyou[INSERT
ITEM;ROTATE]?28

a.

Consultedonlinerankingsorreviewsof
doctorsorotherproviders29
Currentinternetusers[N=2,065]
Currentonlinehealthseekers[N=1,655]
Dec2008onlinehealthseekers[N=1,356]

b.

Consultedonlinerankingsorreviewsof
hospitalsorothermedicalfacilities30
Currentinternetusers
Currentonlinehealthseekers
Dec2008onlinehealthseekers

c.

Consultedonlinereviewsofparticulardrugs
ormedicaltreatments
Currentinternetusers
Currentonlinehealthseekers

d.

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

16

84

19

81

24

76

15

85

18

82

24

76

24

76

30

70

Currentinternetusers

95

94

Dec2008onlinehealthseekers

95

Postedareviewonlineofahospital

Currentinternetusers

97

96

96

96

96

Currentonlinehealthseekers
Dec2008onlinehealthseekers
f.

NO

Postedareviewonlineofadoctor
Currentonlinehealthseekers

e.

YES

Postedyourexperienceswithaparticular
drugormedicaltreatmentonline
Currentinternetusers
Currentonlinehealthseekers

28

Currentquestionwasaskedofallinternetusers[N=2,065].December2008trendquestionwordingwasThere
aremanydifferentactivitiesrelatedtohealthandmedicalissuesapersonmightdoontheinternet.Imgoingto
readalistofthingsyoumayormaynothaveeverdoneonlinerelatedtohealthandmedicalissues.Justtellmeif
youhappenedtodoeachone,ornot.Haveyou[INSERTITEM;ROTATE]?Questionwasaskedofonlinehealth
seekers[N=1,356].
29
December2008trenditemwordingwasConsultedrankingsorreviewsonlineofdoctorsorotherproviders
30
December2008trenditemwordingwasConsultedrankingsorreviewsonlineofhospitalsorothermedical
facilities

pewinternet.org

38

Q30

ThinkingabouttheLASTtimeyouhadahealthissue,didyougetinformation,careorsupport
from[INSERT;RANDOMIZE]?[IFYESANDINTERNETUSER:DidyouinteractwiththemONLINE
throughtheinternetoremail,OFFLINEbyvisitingtheminpersonortalkingonthephone,or
BOTHonlineandoffline?]

YES,ONLINE

YES,
OFFLINE

YES,BOTH

NO,NOTA
SOURCE

DONT
KNOW

REFUSED

a.

Adoctororotherhealthcare
professional

65

29

b.

Friendsandfamily

41

12

44

c.

Otherswhohavethesamehealth
condition

15

77

DOC

Doyouhaveapersonalorfamilydoctor,orotherhealthcareprofessionalsuchasanursethat
youusuallyrelyonifyouneedmedicalcare?

CURRENT

HHS1

74
25
*
*

Yes
No
Yes,morethanone(VOL.)
Dontknow

Refused

[IFHAVEMORETHANONEREGULARDOCTOR,READ:Thinkingaboutthedoctororhealthcare
professionalyougetMOSTofyourmedicalcarefrom]Hasthispersoneverprovidedyouwith
personalizedhealthinformationaboutaconditionorhealthissueyouwerefacing,orhavethey
notdonethis?
Basedonthosewhohavearegulardoctor[N=2,272]

CURRENT

69
29
1

Yes,theydidthis
No,theydidnot
Dontknow

Refused

pewinternet.org

39

Q31

[IFHAVEMORETHANONEREGULARDOCTOR,READ:Stillthinkingaboutthedoctororhealth
careprofessionalyougetMOSTofyourmedicalcarefrom]Howhelpfulisyourdoctorin
[INSERT;RANDOMIZE]veryhelpful,somewhathelpful,ornothelpfulatall?
Basedonthosewhohavearegulardoctor[N=2,272]

VERY

SOME
WHAT

NOTATALL

(VOL.)DOES
NOTAPPLY

DONT
KNOW

REFUSED

a.

Givingyouanaccuratemedical
diagnosis

78

18

b.

Providingemotionalsupport

57

26

c.

Providingthemedicalorhealth
informationyouneed

76

19

d.

Findingeffectivetreatment
strategiesforyou

72

20

e.

Coordinatingyouroverallhealthcare

71

24

Q32

Overall,whodoyouthinkismorehelpfulwhenyouneed[INSERTFIRSTITEM]health
professionalslikedoctorsandnurses,ORothersources,suchasfellowpatients,friendsand
family?Andwhoismorehelpfulwhenyouneed[INSERTNEXTITEM;RANDOMIZE]?READAS
NECESSARY:Professionalsourceslikedoctorsandnurses,ORothersources,suchasfellow
patients,friendsandfamily?

PRO
FESSIONALS

OTHER
SOURCES

(VOL.)BOTH
EQUALLY

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

a.

Anaccuratemedicaldiagnosis

91

b.

Emotionalsupportindealingwitha
healthissue

30

59

c.

Practicaladviceforcopingwithday
todayhealthsituations

43

46

d.

Informationaboutalternative
treatments

63

24

e.

Informationaboutprescriptiondrugs

85

f.

Aquickremedyforaneveryday
healthissue

41

51

g.

Arecommendationforadoctoror
specialist

62

27

h.

Arecommendationforahospitalor
othermedicalfacility

62

27

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Athome,doyouconnecttotheinternetthroughadialuptelephoneline,ordoyouhave
someothertypeofconnection,suchasaDSLenabledphoneline,acableTVmodem,a
wirelessconnection,afiberopticconnectionsuchasFIOSoraT1?

MODEMA

Basedonthosewhousetheinternetfromhome

DIALUP

Current[N=1,947]

TOTAL
HIGH
SPEED

DSL

86

29

CABLE
MODEM

31

WIRELESS

20

FIBER
OPTIC

T1

OTHER

DK

REF.

Q33

Thinkingaboutyourhighspeedinternetserviceathome,doyousubscribetoabasicbroadband
service,ordoyoupayextraforapremiumservicethatpromisesfasterspeed?
Basedoninternetuserswhohavehighspeedinternetathome

CURRENT

13

Subscribetobasicservice
Subscribetopremiumserviceat
higherprice
Dontknow

Refused

49
37

[n=1,657]

Afewlastquestionsforstatisticalpurposesonly
VET1
HaveyoueverservedonactivedutyintheUnitedStatesArmedForces,eitherintheregular
militaryorinaNationalGuardormilitaryreserveunit?Activedutydoesnotincludetrainingfor
theReservesorNationalGuard,butDOESincludeactivation,forexample,forthePersianGulf
War.

CURRENT

13
87
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

pewinternet.org

41

VET2

Inthepast12months,haveyoureceivedsomeorallofyourhealthcarefromaVAhospitalor
clinic?
Basedonveterans[N=354]

INS1

CURRENT

14
9
77
0

Yes,allofmyhealthcare
Yes,someofmyhealthcare
No,noVAhealthcarereceived
Dontknow

Refused

NowIwouldliketoaskyouaboutanyhealthinsuranceyouCURRENTLYhavethathelpspayfor
thecostofhealthcare.Imgoingtoreadalistofafewtypesofhealthinsurance,andIdlikeyou
totellmewhichoftheseyouhave,ifany.(First,)areyounowPERSONALLYcoveredby[INSERT
INORDER]?
[IFRESPONDENTNOTSUREWHICHINSURANCEISINCLUDED:Pleasethinkaboutinsurance
plansthatcoverthecostsofdoctorandhospitalbillsINGENERAL,andNOTthosethatcover
ONLYdentaloreyecareorthecostsofcaringforspecificdiseases.]
[IFRESPONDENTSTRYTOTELLTYPETHEYHAVEINSTEADOFGOINGTHROUGHTHELIST:Im
sorrybutIhavetoaskabouteachtypeofinsuranceforthesurvey.Justtellmenoifyoudont
havethistype.]

YES

NO

DONTKNOW

REFUSED

a.

Privatehealthinsuranceofferedthroughan
employerorunion?[IFNO:Thiscouldbe
insurancethroughacurrentjob,aformerjob,
yourjoborsomeoneelsesjob.]

52

46

b.

Aprivatehealthinsuranceplanthatyoubought
yourself

18

81

c.

Medicaid,[IFSTATECALIFORNIA:MediCal],or
someothertypeofstatemedicalassistancefor
lowincomepeople

15

84

d.

Medicare,thegovernmentprogramthatpays
healthcarebillsforpeopleoverage65andfor
somedisabledpeople

21

78

10

87

ItemEbasedonthosewhoarenotinsuredthrough
privatehealthinsurance,Medicaid,orMedicare
[N=513]
e.

HealthinsurancethroughANYothersource,
includingmilitaryorveteranscoverage

pewinternet.org

42

INS2

Medicareishealthinsurancecoveragemostpeoplereceivewhentheyturn65andareeligible
forSocialSecurity.ThisincludesdifferentkindsofhealthplansofferedTHROUGHtheMedicare
programliketheplanscalledHMOs.AreyounowcoveredbyMedicareorbyANYMedicare
plan?
Basedonthoseage65andolderwhoarenotcoveredbyMedicare[N=91]

INS3

CURRENT

42
48
8

Yes,covered
No,notcovered
Dontknow

Refused

DoesthismeanyoupersonallyhaveNOhealthinsurancenowthatwouldcoveryourdoctoror
hospitalbills?
Basedonthosewhoarenotcoveredbyanyhealthinsuranceorareundesignated[N=446]

DIS001

CURRENT

89
8
1

IdoNOThavehealthinsurance
IHAVEsomekindofhealthinsurance
Dontknow

Refused

ThinkingagainaboutyourownhealthDoyouhaveseriousdifficultyhearing?

DIS002

CURRENT

9
90
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

Areyoublindordoyouhaveseriousdifficultyseeingevenwhenwearingglasses?

CURRENT

7
93
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

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43

DIS003

Becauseofaphysical,mental,oremotionalcondition,doyouhaveseriousdifficulty
concentrating,remembering,ormakingdecisions?

DIS004

CURRENT

11
89
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

Doyouhaveseriousdifficultywalkingorclimbingstairs?

DIS005

CURRENT

15
84
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

Doyouhavedifficultydressingorbathing?

DIS006

CURRENT

3
97
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

Becauseofaphysical,mental,oremotionalcondition,doyouhavedifficultydoingerrands
alonesuchasvisitingadoctorsofficeorshopping?

DIS4

CURRENT

8
92
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

Doyouhaveanydisabilityorillnessthatmakesitharderorimpossibleforyoutousethe
Internet,ornot?

CURRENT

2
97
1

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

pewinternet.org

44

CARE2

Inthepast12months,haveyouprovidedUNPAIDcaretoanadultrelativeorfriend18yearsor
oldertohelpthemtakecareofthemselves?Unpaidcaremayincludehelpwithpersonalneeds
orhouseholdchores.Itmightbemanagingapersonsfinances,arrangingforoutsideservices,or
visitingregularlytoseehowtheyaredoing.Thispersonneednotlivewithyou.[IFRESPONDENT
ASKSDOESGIVINGMONEYCOUNT:]Asidefromgivingmoney,doyouprovideanyothertypeof
unpaidcaretohelpthemtakecareofthemselves,suchashelpwithpersonalneeds,household
chores,arrangingforoutsideservices,orotherthings?

CARE3

CURRENT

27
72
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

Refused

Doyouprovidethistypeofcaretojustoneadult,ordoyoucareformorethanoneadult?
Basedonthosewhoprovideunpaidcaretoadults[N=790]

CARE4
CARE5

CURRENT

66
33
*

Oneadultonly
Providecaretomultipleadults
Dontknow

Refused

Isthispersonaparentofyours,ornot?
Areanyoftheadultsyoucareforaparentofyours,ornot?
Basedonthosewhoprovideunpaidcaretoadults[N=790]

CARE6

CURRENT

38
62
*

Yes,parent
No,notaparent
Dontknow

Refused

Inthepast12months,haveyouprovidedUNPAIDcaretoanyCHILDundertheageof18
becauseofamedical,behavioral,orotherconditionordisability?Thiscouldincludecarefor
ongoingmedicalconditionsorseriousshorttermconditions,emotionalorbehavioralproblems,
ordevelopmentalproblems,includingmentalretardation.

CURRENT

5
94
*

Yes
No
Dontknow

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45