How did we get people to quit smoking? Do you remember the early days when 'Smoking is bad for your health' ads (based on published research) emerged? In the 1960s, 44% of adults smoked. I thought of the research-based ads this week when Pew Research released an enormous report (94 pages) called The Diagnosis Difference, funded by the California Healthcare Foundation. In its many pages, the report makes two key points: 1) People with chronic diseases are less likely to have Internet access than those without chronic diseases (72% versus 89%, thus described as the "17-point difference.") 2) Those with chronic diseases who are online use the Internet to find information as well as other people who share their chronic disease(s). And – one more thing – 43% of the 65+ surveyed had two or more chronic conditions. Now you know, but what should you do?
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