Google ranks second only to doctors as source of health information.
Not that it comes as much of a surprise, but after asking your doctor, Google is the next most influential advisor about health information.
A national survey found Americans rely highly on Google searches as a source of health care information. The survey, conducted in April 2010 discovered that 22% of respondents consider Google searches ‘influential’ in seeking health information.
The search engine ranked second only to doctors (44%) in reported influence and was named more than twice as often as nurses, pharmacists, advocacy groups and friends or family members.
Online communities aren’t yet a major influencer in health care. Only 12% of respondents used online forums in their last search for health information, and only 37% considered forums somewhat or extremely reliable.
I am not sure what you do with this information but if any of your activities are involved in the health business then improving your Google footprint would seem like a good idea.
Image source: donielle
Original Post: http://20plus30.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-am-not-feeling-too-well-dr-google.html