Americans concerned about Web site ethics
Internet users suspicious of health-related sites
An on-line survey reveals that Internet-savvy Americans are concerned about the privacy of health information, but more importantly, suspicious of the ethics of health-related World Wide Web sites.
The on-line poll, with 1,009 responses, was commissioned by the Oakland-based California HealthCare Foundation and the Internet Healthcare Coalition, an international nonprofit organization. Titled "Ethics Survey of Consumer Attitudes about Health Web Sites," the survey found the average American Internet user is:
• concerned about the privacy of on-line health information;
• suspicious of the ethics of many Internet health Web sites;
• uncertain whether personal health data are protected by law;
• confused about who should regulate Internet health information or if it should be regulated.
When asked about general privacy issues, 61% said they were "concerned" or "very concerned." Respondents indicated they were more concerned, however, with on-line privacy issues than with non-Internet issues. Three main fears regarding privacy cited by respondents (with percentages) include:
1. sites sharing information with a third party without permission (75%);
2. individuals other than the addressee reading e-mail (65%);
3. unauthorized hacking into personal health information (59%).
The most cited turn-offs for consumers were sites that share profiles with advertising and marketing partners.
The issue of who should regulate the use of personal health information on the Internet is still divided. The government, according to 35% of on-line users, should take the lead in regulating health information. But 20% said industry associations should develop regulations, and 8% said no regulation should occur.
Top honors for the most trusted sites went to government-sponsored institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Medical groups, including the American Medical Association, received high honors as well. Ranking at the bottom were on-line pharmacy outlets and portals such as Yahoo!
Patients are more likely to visit or share information with a site if their physician recommends it. In fact, 80% said a recommendation from their physician would increase their willingness to share.
(Editor’s note: To see the survey in its entirety, visit the California Healthcare Foundation on the World Wide Web: http://www.chcf.org.)
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