Online diagnosis: Where do you get your health information?

These days the internet is used for anything and almost everything.  Not only can keep in touch with old friends, pay your bills and keep up with breaking news; but you can also find loads of health information.  The only problem is deciphering between the credible sources and just plain junk. 

A recent studyshows that women are more likely than men to look up health information on the web.  Women are also more likely to seek online support groups for medical problems and to visit more health sites than men.  Men are more likely to gather health information from the web on topics that they feel sensitive to talk about with others. 

According to the research, there are a few topics women search more often than men, including religion and driving directions.  Men are more likely to use the web to research products and services, weather, news, do-it-yourself, sports scores, financial information and work related information. 

 The web can be a very good way to research health information, but like mentioned before, not all of the information is credible.  As you already know, anyone can make a website and they are free to put any information they please.  The US Food and Drug Administration has come up with a few major questions to answer about a health related website to determine its worth.  Visit this FDA article to read more about gathering information from the web.  Also remember that these websites are only to give you more information, not to take the place of health professionals. 

Add comment August 22nd, 2007