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Health information-seeking behaviors, health indicators, and health risks

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  • Weaver III, J.B.
  • Mays, D.
  • Weaver, S.S.
  • Hopkins, G.L.
  • Eroglu, D.
  • Bernhardt, J.M.

Abstract

Objectives. We examined how different types of health information-seeking behaviors (HISBs)-no use, illness information only, wellness information only, and illness and wellness information combined-are associated with health risk factors and health indicators to determine possible motives for health information seeking. Methods. A sample of 559 Seattle-Tacoma area adults completed an Internetbased survey in summer 2006. The survey assessed types of HISB, physical and mental health indicators, health risks, and several covariates. Covariate-adjusted linear and logistic regression models were computed. Results. Almost half (49.4%) of the sample reported HISBs. Most HISBs (40.6%) involved seeking a combination of illness and wellness information, but both illness-only (28.6%) and wellness-only (30.8%) HISBs were also widespread. Wellness-only information seekers reported the most positive health assessments and the lowest occurrence of health risk factors. An opposite pattern emerged for illness-only information seekers. Conclusions. Our findings reveal a unique pattern of linkages between the type of health information sought (wellness, illness, and so on) and health selfassessment among adult Internet users in western Washington State. These associations suggest that distinct health motives may underlie HISB, a phenomenon frequently overlooked in previous research.

Suggested Citation

  • Weaver III, J.B. & Mays, D. & Weaver, S.S. & Hopkins, G.L. & Eroglu, D. & Bernhardt, J.M., 2010. "Health information-seeking behaviors, health indicators, and health risks," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(8), pages 1520-1525.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2009.180521_2
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.180521
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    1. Sato, Koryu & Viswanath, Kasisomayajula & Hayashi, Hana & Ishikawa, Yoshiki & Kondo, Katsunori & Shirai, Kokoro & Kondo, Naoki & Nakagawa, Keisuke & Kawachi, Ichiro, 2019. "Association between exposure to health information and mortality: Reduced mortality among women exposed to information via TV programs," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 124-131.
    2. repec:thr:techub:10024:y:2021:i:1:p:235-246 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Frijters, Paul & Johnston, David W. & Lordan, Grace & Shields, Michael A., 2013. "Exploring the relationship between macroeconomic conditions and problem drinking as captured by Google searches in the US," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 61-68.
    4. Cinzia Di Novi & Matija Kovacic & Cristina Elisa Orso, 2023. "Online Health Information Seeking Behavior, Healthcare Access, and Health Status During Exceptional Times," Working Papers 2023: 26, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    5. Hyejin Park & HuiChen Tseng & Minsook Park, 2021. "Exploring Online Health Information-Seeking Behaviours among Older Adults in Rural Areas," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 24(1), pages 235-246, October.
    6. Somayeh Esmaeilzadeh & Hasan Ashrafi-rizi & Leila Shahrzadi & Firozeh Mostafavi, 2018. "A survey on adolescent health information seeking behavior related to high-risk behaviors in a selected educational district in Isfahan," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, November.
    7. Tefft, Nathan, 2011. "Insights on unemployment, unemployment insurance, and mental health," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 258-264, March.
    8. Hendra Van Zyl & Marike Kotze & Ria Laubscher, 2014. "Using a Theoretical Framework to Investigate Whether the HIV/AIDS Information Needs of the AfroAIDSinfo Web Portal Members Are Met: A South African eHealth Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, March.
    9. Fayaz Farkhad, Bita & Albarracín, Dolores, 2021. "Insights on the implications of COVID-19 mitigation measures for mental health," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).

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