HAS GOOGLE REPLACED TRADITIONAL SOURCES OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND RISK FACTOR INFORMATION?

Abstract

Health care providers, print media and public health campaigns have traditionally been the main source for public knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factor awareness. However, widespread availability of online medical information may have altered these traditional information-seeking patterns. The purpose of this study is to assess the health information seeking behaviour in a suburban population. We are also interested to evaluate the relationship between different sources of information with age, gender and ethnicity. A total of 4682 individuals presenting to an urgent care clinic in Mississauga, Ontario were surveyed to identify one or more of the six sources of CVD related information (health care providers, print media, community agencies, television/radio, internet and family/friends) that increased their awareness of CVD risk factors and CVD prevention. Data of 3189 (68%) were available for the analysis. Print media, television/radio, internet, family/friends, health care providers and community agencies were identified as the source of CVD and risk factor awareness by 55%, 54%, 45%, 38%, 20% and 6% of the respondents, respectively. After adjustment for education and median annual household income, age <55 years was associated with highest use of internet as a source of CVD related information. Age groups between 25-34 and 35-44 were least likely to obtain CVD related information from a health provider, print media, and community agencies compared to individuals ≥55 years (Table). There was no association between source of CVD related information and gender or ethnicity. Although print media and television/radio remain significant resources for CVD related information, younger individuals rely heavily on the internet as a source of CVD knowledge and risk factor awareness. These findings have important implications for public health policy and resource allocation for health promotion strategies.