Selected news stories about the Pew Internet Project and articles citing our data.
Millions seek cures online
Health surfers must be wary, study warns
5/18/2005 | 
Coverage
Nancy McVicar, South Florida Sun-Sentinel , Health
'"Ellen Gartner and her husband, Stephen Ratner, of Boynton Beach are setting up a Web site so people with tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing in the ears, can find the support group they run and get information on a technique that has brought relief to many sufferers.
"We're really feeling it this year, the need to develop a Web site," Gartner said Tuesday. "People have been looking at the Web for medical information, but it seems like more and more are doing it. Even the older people are getting more familiar with it."
Gartner is right. Ninety-five million American adults have searched for health information on the Internet, according to a survey released Tuesday. Most -- 66 percent -- are looking for information about a specific disease or medical problem, but 51 percent said they were looking for ways to stay healthy, researching diet, nutrition or vitamin information.
"Experienced Internet users ... are just as likely to be looking up information about how to stay well, which doctors have the best surgical record, or what insurance pricing options are available," said Susannah Fox, associate director at the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which released the report."
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