E-patients With a Disability or Chronic Disease

Abstract

Just half of adults with chronic conditions use the internet; but once online, they are avid consumers of health information. M o n d a y , O c t o b e r 8 , 2 0 0 7 Susannah Fox, Associate Director This Pew Internet & American Life Project report is based on the findings of a daily tracking survey on Americans' use of the internet. All numerical data was gathered through telephone interviews conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates between August 1-31, 2006, among a sample of 2,928 adults, aged 18 and older. For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects is +/-2%. For results based on internet users (n=1,990), the margin of sampling error is +/-3%. For results based on internet users with chronic conditions (n=268), the margin of sampling error is +/-7%. Separately, online essays were collected from 1,680 members of Association of Cancer Online Resources in November 2006. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 1615 L St., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036 202-419-4500 http://www.pewinternet.org Adults living with a disability or chronic disease are less likely than others to go online, but once online, are avid health consumers. About a fifth of American adults say that a disability, handicap, or chronic disease keeps them from participating fully in work, school, housework, or other activities. Half (51%) of those living with a disability or chronic disease go online, compared to 74% of those who report no chronic conditions. Fully 86% of internet users living with disability or chronic illness have looked online for information about at least one of 17 health topics, compared with 79% of internet users with no chronic conditions.