Gender and Online Health Information Seeking: A Five Survey Meta-Analysis

Males have traditionally been more active Internet users than females; however, research indicates females are more likely to seek health information online. This meta-analysis explores the disparity, the role of age and relationship status, and strategies to improve communication. Results indicate differences are less marked than singular studies suggest. Further, males and females are more likely to use the Internet than other resources to find health information; next, they most often seek information from other individuals rather than from impersonal resources. Findings support increasing focus on development of resources that use evolving capabilities for health information personalization while protecting privacy.