Chronic Disease and the Internet

["ljherman1@xxxxxxxx" <ljherman1@xxxxxxxx>]

interesting report on chronic disease and the Internet is available at
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Chronic-Disease.aspx
 =

OverviewU.S. adults living with chronic disease are significantly less l=
ikely than healthy adults to have access to the internet (62% vs. 81%). =
The internet access gap creates an online health information gap. Howeve=
r, lack of internet access, not lack of interest in the topic, is the pr=
imary reason for the difference. Once online, having a chronic disease i=
ncreases the probability that someone will take advantage of social medi=
a to share what they know and learn from their peers. =


When other demographic factors are held constant, having a chronic disea=
se significantly increases an internet user's likelihood to say they wor=
k on a blog or contribute to an online discussion, a listserv, or other =
online group forum that helps people with personal issues or health prob=
lems. =


Living with chronic disease is also associated, once someone is online, =
with a greater likelihood to access user-generated health content such a=
s blog posts, hospital reviews, doctor reviews, and podcasts. These reso=
urces allow an internet user to dive deeply into a health topic, using t=
he internet as a communications tool, not simply an information vending =
machine. =



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