title: What predicts the trust of online health information?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little attention has been paid to levels of trust in online sources of health information. The objective of this study was to investigate levels of trust in various sources of health information (interpersonal channels, traditional media, and Internet media), and to examine the predictors of trust in health information available on the Internet.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was administered to 1,300 people (20 years of age or older), evaluating levels of trust in various sources of health information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest level of trust was expressed regarding interpersonal channels, with hospital physicians regarded as the most trusted source of information age and income showed an association with trust in online information sources. Elderly people were not likely to trust Internet news sources, and high incomes were found to be strongly associated with trust in online sources of information overall.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public health organizations must consider the predictors for trust in various sources of information in order to employ appropriate media when targeting vulnerable individuals or developing messaging strategies for health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Cancer Information and Education Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Su-Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kye
authors.affiliation: Carcinogenic hazard Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Cancer Information and Education Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Keeho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Health information; Internet; Trust