Searching for Better Health

 

What are people's primary sources for health related data? 70 percent said the Internet.

72 percent said their doctor.

Let me reiterate that. The Internet is 3 percentage points away from being people's #1 source of health information.

Ten years ago--FIVE years ago--that'd be unheard of. But here we are. For approximately 70% of the population, instead of "doctor, I have this pain in my chest," It's:

Other choice nuggets of information we discovered, courtesy of the survey we commissioned from Harris Interactive, include:

• TV as a primary source of medical information seriously lags behind at 26%. Sorry Dr. Phil.
• Newspapers and magazines have a 30% rating. Books, 25%.

Why Online?

The survey uncovered a few choice reasons as to why so many rely on searching for health answers:

• Privacy: Over 1/5 of 18-34 year olds said they turned to the Internet because they were too embarrassed to actually talk to anyone.
• Overworked doctors: Just over 1/8 of those surveyed were encouraged by their doctors to search online.
• Alternative medicines: 44% of 35-44 year-olds looked to the Internet for to research homeopathic medicine.

These also help to explain why Health is a top five search topic on Ask.com.

Our Health Smart Answers

All of which are reasons why we've partnered with Healthline Networks, the leading provider of intelligent health information services, and Revolution Health, a leading consumer-centric health company, to provide content for our health-related Smart Answers.

Here are a few Smart Answers you can try straightaway:

Our Health Smart Answers include medical definitions, images, links to reference materials and other data that makes it easier for people to find health information online. And since so many of you are turning to the Internet for medical information, we're working to give you the best info possible.

--The Ask.com Smart Answers Team