Consumer Demand for Health Information on the Internet

32 Pages Posted: 19 Apr 2004 Last revised: 19 Nov 2022

See all articles by Kate Bundorf

Kate Bundorf

Duke University; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Laurence C. Baker

Stanford University; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Sara Singer

Stanford University - Center for Health Policy and Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research

Todd Wagner

Stanford University - VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Date Written: March 2004

Abstract

The challenges consumers face in acquiring and using information are a defining feature of health care markets. In this paper, we examine demand for health information on the Internet. We find that individuals in poor health are more likely than those in better health to use the Internet to search for health information and to communicate with others about health and health care. We also find that individuals facing a higher price to obtain information from health care professionals are more likely to turn to the Internet for health information. Our findings indicate that demand for consumer health information depends on the expected benefits of information and the price of information substitutes.

Suggested Citation

Bundorf, Kate and Baker, Laurence C. and Singer, Sara and Wagner, Todd, Consumer Demand for Health Information on the Internet (March 2004). NBER Working Paper No. w10386, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=522266

Kate Bundorf (Contact Author)

Duke University

100 Fuqua Drive
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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Laurence C. Baker

Stanford University ( email )

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United States
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(650) 723-3786 (Fax)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Sara Singer

Stanford University - Center for Health Policy and Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research ( email )

Stanford, CA 94305
United States

Todd Wagner

Stanford University - VA Palo Alto Health Care System ( email )

291 Campus Drive
Li Ka Shing Building
Stanford, CA 94305-5101
United States

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