Page 47 - Health Literacy, eHealth, and Communication: Putting the Consumer First: Workshop Summary

Health Literacy, eHealth, and Communication: Putting the Consumer First: Workshop Summary

HeALtH LiteRACY, eHeALtH, AnD CoMMUniCAtion

• Would help them find out things easily—82 percent agree, 10 per-
cent disagree
• Helps people keep in touch—79 percent agree, 11 percent
disagree
• Is mostly entertainment—55 percent agree, 34 percent disagree
• I’m missing out by not using it—54 percent agree, 39 percent
disagree
• Is a dangerous thing—51 percent agree, 41 percent disagree
• Is too expensive—50 percent agree, 31 percent disagree
• Is confusing, hard to use—38 percent agree, 29 percent disagree

The HHPC also used focus groups to gather information. The data
that follow are from 6 of the 17 focus groups, 3 with Hispanic-speaking
populations and three with English-speaking populations. Each group
had 6 to 8 participants, and each person was asked to characterize himself
as either Web user or non-user. Results from these focus groups indicate
that both Web users and non-users consider the Internet to be a legitimate
source of health information, even among those for whom the Internet
was not the preferred source. Convenience of use was a major factor in the
use of the Internet. Although participants reported enjoying the freedom
that the Internet allowed, many said they had difficulty understanding

46% Non-Users
Television 52% Internet Users

Internet/Web 29% 71%

Radio 37%
41%

Newspapers/Magazines 40%
57%
49%
Family/Friends 58%
Health care 90%
professional 94%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

FIguRE 3-1 Trust in sources of health information.
SOURCE: Kukafka, 2008.
Figure 3-1

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