TECHNOLOGY

Americans Watch Enough TV to Satisfy a Part Time Job [NationMaster]

With nearly every American having access to a TV in their own home, the time spent watching TV is the highest in the world.

• Almost all Americans (98%) have TVs in their home
• The average American watches 4 hours of TV a day; 28 hours a week
• Americans watch more TV than any other country

Forget About Gas Prices and the Economy. Americans are Still Going to Drive [Rasmussen]

Although the majority of Americans say they are concerned about the economy and environment, it is not enough to keep them from driving.

• Nearly 9 in 10 Americans drive to work
• Only 22% say they would spend more money on a hybrid to help the environment
• 4 in 5 Americans say the cost of fuel will play at least a small role in the purchase of their next car; however the threat of rising gas costs is not encouraging them to seek alternative transportation options

The Majority of Americans Blame Technology Companies for their Errors [BuzzDash]

Problem with your TV? Can't get the remote to work? Americans are quicker to blame difficulties on the gadget than themselves.

• Nearly 3 in 4 Americans assume there is a problem with the gadget when it does not work
• Only 27% of voters realize the problem may be in their lack of knowledge of technology

HEALTHCARE


Health Care Reform is Needed for the Country, but not Neccesarily in my Home [Kaiser Family Foundation]

While a majority of Americans think the US would be better off with health care reform, less are confident that their families will be.

• 57% of Americans continue to say that the country would be better off if the president and Congress pass health care reform
• Only 39% of these Americans say their own families will be better off with health care reform (decrease of 4% in the last 3 months)

Doctors, Not Politicians Should Decide on Health Care Reform [Gallup]

Americans trust physicians over politicians and big pharma on health care reform.

• 73% of Americans are confident that doctors will recommend the best health care reform policies over any other source:
• 62%-healthcare professors and researchers
• 58%-President Obama
• 40%-pharmaceutical companies
• 35%-health insurance companies

Socialized Medicine? Americans Support a Public Health Care Option [CBS News/NYTimes]

Nearly 2 in 3 Americans believe the government should guarantee healthcare for all.

• 72% support a government-sponsored health care plan to compete with private insurers
• 64% believe the government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans
• 50% think the government would be better than insurance companies at providing medical coverage (increase of 30% from 2007)
• 59% think the government would be at better holding down costs (increase of 47% from 2007)
  

Americans Turn to the Internet for Medical Help but Traditional Sources Still Rule [Pew Research]

Despite an increase in online health inquiries, Americans continue to look to doctors, family and friends for health information.

• 86% of adults still rely on health professionals for information or assistance with medical issues. Other sources include:
• 68%-ask a family member or friend
• 57%-use the internet
• 54%-use books or other printed reference material

Health Consumers Seek User Generated Content, but few Generate Content Themselves [Pew Research]

A majority of online patients access health information from other patients “just like me”, but don’t generate content themselves.

• Whereas 41% of e-patients have read another’s commentary via a website, blog or group, only 6% post comments about themselves
• 24% of e-patients have consulted online reviews or rankings of doctors, whereas only 5% have reported posting doctor reviews online
  

Social Networking Sites Have a Long Way to go as Sources of Healthcare Information [Pew Research]

E-patients that use social networking sites rarely engage in traditional social networking activities about health related matters.

• 39% of e-patients use a social-networking site, but only a small portion have:
• followed their friends' personal health experiences or updates
• posted their own health-related comments
• gotten any health information
• joined a health-related group