Cyberchondriacs
Population Surfing for Sickness Reaches 160 Million
Are you surfing for sick? According a new poll the number of “cyberchondriacs†surfing the net looking for health info has soared to about 160 million people in 2006 -- a 37 percent rise in two years. The Telegraph reveals, "Worried about that niggling pain in your arm? Concerned about those persistent headaches? If you've searched online for information about medical woes you're not alone. The nationwide telephone poll of 1,010 adults conducted earlier this month showed cyberchondriacs on average search the Internet almost six times per month and the majority find what they are looking for. Eighty-six percent of people questioned in the poll said the health information they found online was reliable, which was a slight drop from the previous year when 90 percent were satisfied with the data."
Trend Themes
1. Increased Health Information Seeking - The number of 'cyberchondriacs' searching for health information online has risen to 160 million people, presenting opportunities for innovation in health information platforms and services.
2. Growing Reliance on Online Health Information - The majority of cyberchondriacs believe the health information they find online is reliable, indicating a need for improved digital health platforms and tools to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness.
3. Rise of the Cyberchondriac Phenomenon - The increase in cyberchondriac behavior, with people frequently searching for medical information, suggests a demand for innovative solutions that provide personalized, easily accessible and up-to-date health information.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can leverage the rise of cyberchondriacs by developing user-friendly and reliable digital health platforms that cater to the needs of information-seeking individuals.
2. Technology - The technology industry has the opportunity to create innovative tools and applications that provide accurate and trustworthy health information to meet the demands of cyberchondriacs.
3. Digital Marketing - The growing population of cyberchondriacs opens up avenues for digital marketing professionals to reach targeted audiences with specific health information and services.