How Do Online Health Info Seekers Feel About the Internet as a Research Tool?

by Client Services

About 70% of adults who have used the Internet for health-related activities in the last 30 days say they feel the Internet provides them with a wealth of resources when they are searching for health and wellness information, according to the 2015 MARS Consumer Health Study. Among adults that have used the Internet for health-related activities in the last 30 days, roughly 1 in 4 say they are more comfortable talking about health and wellness concerns online than face-to-face.

However, these adults are still careful about the specific online resources they use. 70% admit to being very cautious about which websites they access for health and wellness information and only 37% are comfortable entering personal information on a website. Moreover, only 16% of adults trust the medical information other people share on a social media.

The majority of these adults (63%) say the Internet is the first source they turn to when researching health and wellness, but only 29% feel the Internet is a good way to confirm a diagnosis.

The 2015 MARS Consumer Health Study helps the industry make better decisions about how to incorporate online into pharmaceutical and OTC marketing strategies. For more information about accessing full study results, contact us or view study content and materials here.