Health Information: What Women Want

As our nation ventures deeper into the digital age, more and more Americans are turning to the Internet to explore topics related to their health concerns. In fact, in 2007, research by Harris Interactive estimated that the number of Americans turning to the Internet for healthcare information is around 160 million. Many of those looking for information are women. Studies show that women are more likely to make healthcare decisions in their households. Not surprisingly, women comprise a majority of health seekers who turn to the more than 17,000 health-related Web sites that create the virtual medical landscape. Women are searching for information both for themselves and their families. They are more likely to look for information related to their children’s health and to seek health information after visiting their physicians.

But all the facts floating around in cyberspace aren’t necessarily from reliable sources. Many women wonder if the health information they’ve found on the Web is valid and whether their information and online activity remain private. If you’re wondering where to look for trustworthy healthcare information, use these tips from The National Women’s Health Resource Center (www.healthywomen.org) to help you sort through the hype.

• Choose Web addresses with .gov, .org, and .edu and at the end. They are usually sponsored by state and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or colleges and universities.
• Stick with names you trust. Visit the Web sites of nationally or regionally recognized organizations for up-to-date information on the health topics they’re involved in.
• Look for the site’s privacy policy. You can find out if the site sells or trades information to other organizations or companies.
• Trust your instincts. If what you’re reading sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Sources: kidshealth.org, teenshealth.org, harrisinteractive.com, encyclopedia.com, comscore.com