Men, in general, are more likely than women to research issue relating to their own health, the report indicates. In their most recent health-research session, most health seekers surveyed said they focused on getting information about an immediate medical problem. And most sought information in conjunction with a doctor's visit. They also are more likely to register strong feelings about the benefits of online searches, especially those related to the wealth of information online and the convenience of online searches. And women are more likely to worry about getting unreliable information from the Web.
Women are twice as likely as men to be seeking material for a child.
However, men and women were equally likely to be seeking information on behalf of a parent or other relative. They also are more likely to say their Web search affected their decisions about how to treat an illness. They are also more likely than women to have used the Web information they gathered to ask follow-up questions of a medical professional. The report indicates that men and women are about equal in their concerns about privacy. And they have genuine reasons for concern, the report says.