Find Out The Top Sources of Consumer Healthcare Information

by Jayne Krahn

According to Kantaar Media's 2012 MARS OTC/DTC Study, almost 4 out of 5 American adults see their HCP as the #1 valued source of healthcare information. This statisic hasn’t changed much in the past 5 years but what has changed is the role the Internet plays with the healthcare consumer. As Internet usage continues to climb, it makes sense that more and more adults continue to look up a brought range of topics via the web.

Of all adults, 30% in 2007 said the internet was a valuable source. This number grew substantially in 2011 to 40%. Chances are that it may continue to climb.

Valuing the Internet as a source of healthcare information varies tremendously depending on the ailment one sufferers from.

For example, more than 50% of adults with depression appreciate the internet. That's a huge increase from 5 years ago.

In contrast, RA sufferers seem to have one of the largest increases in the how they value the internet for healthcare information. In 2007, only 16% valued the Internet versus 34% in 2011.