When you’re sick or have a health concern, is the Internet the first place you turn to for information? A new study shows the web is just a starting place for finding health information — most people still see a doctor for serious concerns. In a Pew study released on Monday, 35% of U.S. adults say they’ve used the Internet to diagnose themselves or someone else. And about half of those people followed up with a doctor’s visit. The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project released further data that shows how the more than 3,000 U.S. adults surveyed answered. 59% of U.S. adults say they looked online for health information within the past year. One in four people seeking health information on the web encountered a pay wall. Most tried to find the information somewhere else, some gave up on their quest and only 2% paid a fee.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.