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Women’s Health Information-Seeking Experiences and Preferences for Health Communications on FDA-Regulated Products: A Qualitative Study in Urban Area

Author

Listed:
  • Moaz Abdelwadoud

    (Department of Global and Environmental Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA)

  • Jennifer Huang

    (Westat, Rockville, MD 20850, USA)

  • Ester Villalonga-Olives

    (Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA)

  • Susan dosReis

    (Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA)

  • Liz Jansky

    (Westat, Rockville, MD 20850, USA)

  • C. Daniel Mullins

    (Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA)

  • Marc Kusinitz

    (United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA)

  • Heather Ovelmen

    (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

  • Julia Ju

    (United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA)

Abstract

A key part of any effort to ensure informed health care decision-making among the public is access to reliable and relevant health-related information. We conducted focus groups with women from three generations across the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area to explore their information-seeking motivations, perceptions, challenges, and preferences regarding three FDA-regulated products: drugs, vaccines, and medical devices. The youngest generation discussed seeking health information for their children; the other two sought information for their own needs. All participants noted that finding health information appropriate to their reading level was a challenge, as was identifying reliable sources of information. All generations identified in-person and live interactions as their preferred method of communication and health care providers as their preferred source for information. All three generations recognized the usefulness of websites, and the two older generations acknowledged the advantages of brochures. Our findings suggest approaches the FDA could consider to improve communications: (a) supporting in-person and live health information interactions; (b) leveraging the agency’s standing with the public to highlight it as a leading source of validated health information; (c) increasing the FDA website’s visibility in internet searches and making its navigation easier; and (d) using multi-pronged approaches and media for various audiences.

Suggested Citation

  • Moaz Abdelwadoud & Jennifer Huang & Ester Villalonga-Olives & Susan dosReis & Liz Jansky & C. Daniel Mullins & Marc Kusinitz & Heather Ovelmen & Julia Ju, 2024. "Women’s Health Information-Seeking Experiences and Preferences for Health Communications on FDA-Regulated Products: A Qualitative Study in Urban Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-16, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:3:p:321-:d:1354247
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