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The Dispersion of Health Information-Seeking Behavior and Health Literacy in a State in the Southern United States: Cross-sectional Study.

Author
Abstract
:

The transmission of health information from in-person communication to web-based sources has changed over time. Patients can find, understand, and use their health information without meeting a health care provider and are able to participate more in their health care management. In recent years, the internet has emerged as the primary source of health information, although clinical providers remain the most credible source. The ease of access, anonymity, and busy schedules may be motivating factors to seek health information on the web. Social media has surfaced as a popular source of health information, as it can provide news in real time. The increase in the breadth and depth of health information available on the web has also led to a plethora of misinformation, and individuals are often unable to discern facts from fiction. Competencies in health literacy (HL) can help individuals better understand health information and enhance patient decision-making, as adequate HL is a precursor to positive health information-seeking behaviors (HISBs). Several factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status are known to moderate the association between HL and HISBs.

Year of Publication
:
2022
Journal
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JMIR formative research
Volume
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6
Issue
:
6
Number of Pages
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e34708
Date Published
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2022
URL
:
https://formative.jmir.org/2022/6/e34708/
DOI
:
10.2196/34708
Short Title
:
JMIR Form Res
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