American adults continue to turn to traditional sources of health information, even as many of them deepen their engagement with the online world. When asked, "Now thinking about all the sources you turn to when you need information or assistance in dealing with health or medical issues, please tell me if you use any of the following sources..."

• 86% of all adults ask a health professional, such as a doctor.
• 68% of all adults ask a friend or family member.
• 57% of all adults use the internet.
• 54% use books or other printed reference material.
• 33% contact their insurance provider.
• 5% use another source not mentioned in the list. 

Significant differences emerge between age groups, a finding that holds steady when controlling the other variables.

For example, adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are significantly less likely than older adults to consult a health professional (79%, compared with 88% of 30-49s, 89% of 50-64s, and 89% of 65+). Younger adults are more likely than older adults to consult a friend or family member. Seventy-eight percent of adults ages 18-29 and 72% of 30-49 year-olds consult a friend or family member, compared with 58% of 50-64 year-olds and 59% of adults age 65 and older.

The Center for Studying Health System Change recorded significant differences in health-information seeking behavior among adults with various levels of education.⁶ This survey echoes those findings: 94% of college graduates consult a health professional, for example, compared with 83% of high school graduates. Seventy-five percent of college graduates consult friends and family members, compared with 66% of high school graduates.

There are no significant differences between adults who have dial-up internet access vs. those with home broadband; adults who report good health vs. those in poor health; and adults living in urban, suburban, or rural communities.  All of these groups turn in equal numbers to health professionals, friends, family members, the internet, and other sources of health information.

In conclusion, access to the internet does not seem to diminish Americans’ interest in talking with health professionals, friends, or family members. But the kinds of health information sought and found online are different from what people can glean from most traditional sources.