title: Health information, the Internet, and the digital divide.
abstract: Through an analysis of recent data on adults' and children's computer use and experiences, this DataWatch shows that use of computers and the Internet is widespread and that significant percentages of the public are already using the Internet to get health information. The surveys also show that the Internet is already a useful vehicle for reaching large numbers of lower-income, less-educated, and minority Americans. However, a substantial digital divide continues to characterize computer and Internet use, with lower-income blacks especially affected. Implications for the future of health communication on the Internet also are explored.
authors.affiliation: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brodie
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Flournoy
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Blendon
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D002648:Child; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States