title: Computer use, internet access, and online health searching among Harlem adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Computer use, Internet access, and online searching for health information were assessed toward enhancing Internet use for health promotion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional random digit dial landline phone survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight zip codes that comprised Central Harlem/Hamilton Heights and East Harlem in New York City.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults 18 years and older (N=646).
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic characteristics, computer use, Internet access, and online searching for health information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequencies for categorical variables and means and standard deviations for continuous variables were calculated and compared with analogous findings reported in national surveys from similar time periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among Harlem adults, ever computer use and current Internet use were 77% and 52%, respectively. High-speed home Internet connections were somewhat lower for Harlem adults than for U.S. adults overall (43% vs. 68%). Current Internet users in Harlem were more likely to be younger, white vs. black or Hispanic, better educated, and in better self-reported health than non-current users (p<.01). Of those who reported searching online for health information, 74% sought information on medical problems and thought that information found on the Internet affected the way they eat (47%) or exercise (44%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many Harlem adults currently use the Internet to search for health information. High-speed connections and culturally relevant materials may facilitate health information searching for underserved groups.
authors.affiliation: Harlem Health Promotion Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Alwyn T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Cohall
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nye
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moon-Howard
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kukafka
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dye
authors.forename: Roger D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Northridge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D009862:Online Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013689:Telephone; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult