Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/72554
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Type: Journal article
Title: Internet usage and openness to internet-delivered health information among Australian adults aged over 50 years
Author: Zajac, I.
Flight, I.
Wilson, C.
Turnbull, D.
Cole, S.
Young, G.
Citation: Australasian Medical Journal, 2012; 5(5):262-267
Publisher: Australasian Medical Journal Pty Ltd
Issue Date: 2012
ISSN: 1836-1935
1836-1935
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Ian T. Zajac, Ingrid H.K Flight, Carlene Wilson, Deborah Turnbull, Steve Cole and Graeme Young
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The cost of healthcare in Australia’s ageing population isever increasing. In an attempt to reduce these rising costs, the internet has been suggested as a possible means of disseminating health-related information and promoting preventive health behaviours. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the proportion of Australians aged 50-74 years who have internet access, and the characteristics of internet usage, current online health information seeking behaviour, and the willingness to receive unsolicited health information via the Internet. METHOD: A random sample of N=25,511 urban older Australians aged 50 to 74 years received a questionnaire via mail and were asked to complete questions concerning variables related to internet usage. N=8,762 returned a competed questionnaire. RESULTS: Eighty-two per cent of respondents reported having internet access, mainly at home (94%), and the majority actively use this technology (93%). Younger people and those of higher socio-economic status and higher education were more likely to have access (p<.001). Approximately 61% reported actively seeking health-related information online but only 32% expressed a willingness to receive unsolicited health information via the internet. Females were more likely to currently search for health-related information than males but were less likely to be open to receiving unsolicited health information (both p<.001). CONCLUSION: According to the data it appears the majority of urban Australians aged over 50 have access to the internet at some location and 60% of them use the internet for health related purposes. The data also suggests, however, that delivering health information via the internet alone would disadvantage those who are older, less educated, and less financially well-off.
Keywords: Internet usage
personalised decision support
cancer screening
Rights: Copyright status unknown
DOI: 10.4066/AMJ.2012.1065
Grant ID: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/593505
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.4066/amj.2012.1065
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest
Psychology publications

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