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Minority status and health information search: A test of the social diversification hypothesis

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  • Mesch, Gustavo
  • Mano, Rita
  • Tsamir, Judith

Abstract

Group differences in the search of health information were investigated, to test the diversification hypothesis that argues that disadvantaged groups in society will be more likely to use the Internet and computer mediated communication to access health information to compensate for their lack of social capital. Data were gathered from a sample of Internet users representative of the percentage of minorities in the general population in Israel (n = 1371). The results provide partial support for the hypothesis, indicating that in multicultural societies disadvantaged groups show greater motivation to use the Internet to access medical information than the majority group. We interpreted our findings as suggesting that minority groups that do not have access to specialized networks use the Internet to overcome their lack of access to specialized information. Implications of the finding are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Mesch, Gustavo & Mano, Rita & Tsamir, Judith, 2012. "Minority status and health information search: A test of the social diversification hypothesis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(5), pages 854-858.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:75:y:2012:i:5:p:854-858
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.03.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baron-Epel, Orna & Kaplan, Giora, 2009. "Can subjective and objective socioeconomic status explain minority health disparities in Israel?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 1460-1467, November.
    2. Lubetzky, Hasia & Friger, Michael & Warshawsky-Livne, Lora & Shvarts, Shifra, 2011. "Distance and socioeconomic status as a health service predictor on the periphery in the southern region of Israel," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(2-3), pages 310-316, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Di Novi, Cinzia & Kovacic, Matija & Orso, Cristina Elisa, 2024. "Online health information seeking behavior, healthcare access, and health status during exceptional times," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 675-690.
    2. Papadopoulos, Nicolas & Cleveland, Mark, 2023. "An international and cross-cultural perspective on ‘the wired consumer’: The digital divide and device difference dilemmas," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    3. Safarov, Nuriiar, 2021. "Personal experiences of digital public services access and use: Older migrants’ digital choices," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    4. Pirrotta, L. & Guidotti, E. & Tramontani, C. & Bignardelli, E. & Venturi, G. & De Rosis, S., 2022. "COVID-19 vaccinations: An overview of the Italian national health system's online communication from a citizen perspective," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(10), pages 970-979.

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