Older Americans Skeptical of AI-Generated Health Information, Survey Reveals

Older Americans Distrust AI-Generated Health Information

A recent survey conducted by the University of Michigan has revealed a significant lack of trust in artificial intelligence (AI) generated health information among Americans aged 50 and older. The poll, which involved 3,379 adults surveyed online and via phone in February and March 2024, found that approximately 74% of middle-aged and senior Americans would have very little to no trust in health information generated by AI 1

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Key Findings

The survey uncovered several important insights into how older adults perceive and interact with health information:

1. Only 32% of older adults who recently searched for health information online said it's very easy to find accurate advice 1

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2. 20% of respondents reported little to no confidence in their ability to spot health-related misinformation 2

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3. 84% of those polled had obtained health information directly from healthcare providers, pharmacists, friends, or family members in the past year 1

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4. More than 70% of respondents rated health professionals as very trustworthy, while 62% said the same about friends and family members with medical backgrounds 1

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Online Health Information Sources

The survey also explored the use and perceived trustworthiness of various online health information sources:

1. 58% of respondents had used at least one online site for health information in the past year 2

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2. 39% had used .com health information sites like WebMD and Healthline 1

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3. 31% had visited a health system's website 1

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4. Smaller percentages visited sites run by federal government agencies (21%), nonprofit organizations (14%), and universities or medical schools (11%) 1

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Trust in Different Information Sources

The level of trust varied significantly across different types of health information sources:

1. 36% of those who used .com sites felt the information was very trustworthy 1

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2. 59% of those who visited health care system websites found them very trustworthy 1

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3. Around 60% of those who visited government, nonprofit, or university sites considered them very trustworthy 1

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Implications and Recommendations

Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, poll director and associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, emphasized the crucial role of healthcare providers and pharmacists as trusted health messengers for older adults 1

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. The findings suggest a need to encourage more people to use websites run by health organizations, which are generally seen as very trustworthy 1

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Indira Venkat, AARP's senior vice president of research, highlighted the urgent need for reliable, accessible health resources, especially as AI advancements offer promising opportunities to support healthy aging 1

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. The poll underscores the importance of ensuring that older adults have access to trustworthy information from healthcare providers and credible websites as we navigate the evolving landscape of digital health 1

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Conclusion

As the healthcare industry continues to integrate AI technologies, addressing the trust gap among older adults will be crucial. The survey results indicate a clear preference for human expertise and established health information sources, suggesting that AI integration in healthcare for older populations may require careful consideration and tailored approaches to build trust and acceptance.