Ybarra, & Suman, 2006

• 4/10 adults and ¼ adolescents use the internet to seek health-related information
• Reliable information can
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Increase self-esteem
  • Decrease use of more expensive care
  • Increase understanding of health information
  • Change behavior
• Individuals who are depressed or in poor health are more likely to access health-related information online
• No evidence that it delays seeking treatment
• Method
  • Longitudinal phone survey of online help-seekers
  • Most were white, middle-aged females with moderate income
  • High education and internet skills
  • Often used search engines – not necessarily main source of information
  • Looking for specific info – more likely to contact health care providers
  • Information is free – less likely to contact a health care provider
  • Support seekers – lower income
• Critical analysis
  • Seems to augment not replace traditional healthcare