Chapter 3 - Public Interest in Health Information

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the dissemination of consumer health information and outlines a general model to identify the factors that lead some individuals to have a high level of interest in health matters and become regular consumers of biomedical information, while others acquire and retain little or no health-related information. One of the key elements in the biomedical communication process is the dissemination of health and medical information to each individual. Several small studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between the salience of health information and health-related behavior. A high level of interest in health information does not mean that an individual also has a high level of knowledge about biomedical information. In fact, many individuals who reported that they were interested in health information also reported that they were only moderately well-informed about health and medical topics. The factors associated with a high level of interest in health information among men and women are diverse. It is important for health and medical communicators to recognize these differences between men and women while designing and conducting information programs.