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Life's major moments are increasingly researched online

Healthcare Strategist Trend Watch, April 28, 2006

As the Internet becomes a bigger part of Americans' lives, more and more of them are turning to the Web for information at major moments in their lives, such as a health crisis.

A 2002 survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that 45% of Internet users nationwide, about 60 million Americans, used the Internet to help them make big decisions or negotiate their way through major episodes in their lives over the previous two years. A follow-up survey in March suggests the trend is not abating. During the three years between surveys, there was an increase of

 54% in the number of adults who turned to the Internet as they helped another person cope with a major illness, the largest category increase in the survey

 40% in the number who turned to the Internet to cope with an major illness of their own

The number of people who turned to the Internet for help with other life events-from changing careers to buying a new house or car to choosing a school for themselves or their children-also increased, according to a Pew news release.

The Washington, DC-based Pew Internet & American Life Project is a nonprofit organization that conducts research and surveys on the impact of the Internet on families, communities, education, health care, and politics.

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