---
"title": "Accessing Health Topics on the Internet"
"description": "Health information remains one of the most important subjects that internet users research online, and the largest percentage are looking for information on a specific disease or medical problem."
"date": "1999-12-06"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/1999/12/06/accessing-health-topics-on-the-internet/"
"categories":
  - "Healthcare Online"
---

# Accessing Health Topics on the Internet

Health information remains one of the most important subjects that internet users research online, and 66% are looking up information on a specific disease or medical problem, the perennial hot topic when it comes to seeking health information online. Other top searches by users include seeking information about a certain medical procedure or treatment (56%); trying to find information about doctors or other health professionals (44%); looking up hospitals or other medical facilities (36%); and gathering information on health insurance, whether it is private or provided by Medicaid or Medicare (33%). Among the most likely to be searching for health information online are adults who, in the previous 12 months, have provided unpaid care to a parent, child, friend or other loved one. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/1875/internet-health-topics-accessing-updated-data)