Internet usage and openness to internet-delivered health information among Australian adults aged over 50 years

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.