80% of American Internet users researched health topics online

80% of American internet users, or some 113 mln adults, have searched for information on at least one of seventeen health topics. Most internet users start at a general search engine when researching health and medical advice online. Just 15% of health seekers say they always check the source and date of the health information they find online, while another 10% say they do so most of the time. 75% of health seekers say they check the source and date only sometimes, hardly ever, or never, which translates to about 85 mln Americans gathering health advice online without consistently examining the quality indicators of the information they find. Most health seekers are pleased about what they find online, but some are frustrated or confused, Pew Internet & American Life Project says.