%0 Journal Article
%T Internet usage and openness to internet-delivered health information among Australian adults aged over 50 years
%A Ian T. Zajac
%A Ingrid H.K. Flight
%A Carlene Wilson
%A Deborah Turnbull
%J Australasian Medical Journal
%D 2012
%I The Australasian Medical Journal pty ltd.
%X BackgroundThe cost of healthcare in Australia¡¯s ageing population isever increasing. In an attempt to reduce these rising costs,the internet has been suggested as a possible means ofdisseminating health-related information and promotingpreventive health behaviours.ObjectiveOur objective was to determine the proportion ofAustralians aged 50-74 years who have internet access, andthe characteristics of internet usage, current online healthinformation seeking behaviour, and the willingness toreceive unsolicited health information via the Internet.MethodA random sample of N=25,511 urban older Australians aged50 to 74 years received a questionnaire via mail and wereasked to complete questions concerning variables related tointernet usage. N=8,762 returned a competedquestionnaire.ResultsEighty-two per cent of respondents reported havinginternet access, mainly at home (94%), and the majorityactively use this technology (93%). Younger people andthose of higher socio-economic status and higher educationwere more likely to have access (p<.001). Approximately61% reported actively seeking health-related informationonline but only 32% expressed a willingness to receiveunsolicited health information via the internet. Femaleswere more likely to currently search for health-relatedinformation than males but were less likely to be open toreceiving unsolicited health information (both p<.001).ConclusionAccording to the data it appears the majority of urbanAustralians aged over 50 have access to the internet atsome location and 60% of them use the internet for healthrelatedpurposes. The data also suggests, however, thatdelivering health information via the internet alone woulddisadvantage those who are older, less educated, and lessfinancially well-off.
%K Internet Usage
%K Personalised Decision Support
%K Cancer
%U http://www.amj.net.au/index.php?journal=AMJ&page=article&op=viewFile&path%5B%5D=1065&path%5B%5D=930