MEDIA DYNAMICS AND INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOURS AMONG AMERICAN ADULTS LIVING WITH CANCER. AN ANALYSIS OF HINTS DATA 2021

Theoretical Background and research questions/hypothesis: Health information seeking behaviors and practices among people living with challenging health conditions is a normalcy. Patients with such traumatic conditions as cancer undoubtedly have seemingly endless unanswered questions regarding their situation. As a result of technological advancements, there are now enormous media tools for sourcing information. Accordingly, health information is proven to be one of the major sought after in recent times. This paper investigates the dynamics of media as a handy consulting tool for cancer patients and the disparities that exists among the adult cancer patients living within the American society .

Methods: The current study population consists of adults of 18 years and above living in the united states and captured in the database. This cross-sectional survey utilized data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2021. Logical regression was used to measure the level disparities across the United states cancer patients.

Results: Results from the analysis showed that there is habitual tendency of sourcing health related information from internet search engines and social media platforms and that the key media information sourcing platforms relevant to cancer patients are similar irrespective of ethnicity or race. The study also revealed a wide range of disparities among the cancer patients in the United states of America. Conclusions: Findings from the study shows the impact of internet-based information on ailing Americans and concludes that health-related information on social media platforms and other internet sources should be monitored and regulated by appropriate stakeholders. The study reveals the importance of the HINTS data which is made available by the National cancer institute to the American society.

Implications for research and/or practice: The study has implication on subsequent researchers, internet-based information seekers, cancer patients, health practitioners, policy makers, media regulators and other stakeholders.