Internet-Based Health Information Seeking Among Low-Income, Minority Seniors Living in Urban Residential Centers

Abstract

This article discusses the results of an exploratory study designed to measure low-income, minority elderly adults Internet-based health information—seeking activities. The study is a part of a program designed to teach residents, living in high-rise urban communities, how to use the Internet to locate health information. By teaching minority seniors how to locate Internet-based health information, it is hoped that they will seek more information regarding their health conditions, treatments, and medications. The results of the study draw five inferences regarding participant's health information—seeking behavior: The retrieved information helps the elderly understand their health problems; retrieved information will not lead the elderly to engage in self-care, nor will it engage them enough to change health care providers; retrieved information can change elderly eating and exercise patterns, and retrieved information can affect the treatments the elderly receive for their illnesses.