Thanks to a study conducted by Envision Solutions who is a health care marketing communications consultant, it appears as though blogs about health are doing quite well. According to the study, just about half of all American adults have written a health related topic on a blog while 60% of those individuals write primarily on health related topics. The study also shows that an estimated thirteen million Americans posted at least one health related item to a blog between February and August of 2008.
While one-third of the respondents said they were blogging to educate others about a condition or malady, 21% of them said they blogged primarily for marketing purposes, such as a doctor who looked to increase business for his or her practice, or a health care consultant wishing to demonstrate expertise in a subject or health policy.
If you're interested in seeing more numbers, Mediapost.com has an excellent post detailing the results from this study.
One thing about this study which I found to be rather interesting was that, only 15% of readers believed bloggers' statements should be taken at face value. This was a decrease from 23% in 2006 which is a good sign meaning confidence is growing amongst health blog readers.
I'm not subscribed to any health related blogs in my feed reader but then again, I'm not dealing with a particular health issue, neither are my immediate relatives. But if I were, I would certainly be blogging about it while trying to inform others of the condition and treatments. Thanks to blogs and new media, we can read, see, and hear first hand experiences from those who are going through treatments or who are part of medical breakthroughs.
Are you subscribed to any health related blogs? Have you thought about starting one yourself? What do you think of this recent survey?
Health Blogs
Dr. Gabe Mirkin publishes an excellent health blog, it has been my favorite for years.
I started my own health blog several months ago and offer health related content primarily on nutrition, weight loss issues and high-content articles on how easy it is to take care of your health and make better health-related diet and nutrition choices. www.VoiceOfHealth.com gets you there... free newsletter advising when new posts are made, and nothing to buy on the blog.
I think health blogs are great becasue good ones help raise awareness of the importance of taking care of yourself BEFORE you find yourself in a crisis situation... but a word of warning, never let any health advice from any source take the place of you medical doctors advice... use health-blog advice to raise your awareness, but rely one your MD if you ever get sick enough to need a doctor.
Russell J. Martino, Ph.D.
http://www.VoiceOfHealth.com
Weight Loss Blog
I've enjoyed the close-knit health blogging community over the last year. Just wish my diet was going better!
Jolene
I was looking to start up a new blog. I recently has one with just reviews on it, but I was scarcely getting traffic. Perhaps I will try a health blog. Thanks for the information.
Info & Resources for Medical Practice Managers
Even though my blog is not geared to the consumer of health services per se, I hope that some of my expertise in managing medical practices will translate to better service in healthcare. It's exciting to be a part of the generation where patients are informed and have an arsenal of information at their disposal. This makes for better medicine, better outcomes, and a better healthcare system. I like working in a field where patients have a choice and can make a difference when they vote with their feet.
Now if we could just figure out the dollars and cents...
I'm on the same boat. I
I'm on the same boat. I don't have any illnesses that is affecting me so there's no need for me to follow a health blog. The only thing that even comes close is something I found through stumbleupon. skrewtips.com
They don't update as often but that's just as good. I don't want my newsreader to be overwhelemed with a lot of health posts.
More Registered Nurses Are Starting to Blog
I'm an RN and started blogging a few months ago. Although it's a personal website, I try to aim my posts toward the health care industry.
Since I started blogging, I've networked with other nurses and doctors who are interested in using social media to advance the professions.
Health care blogging offers some unique challenges and opportunities. Depending on the kind of blogging, confidentiality is perhaps the most critical of all industries. I'd like to see more health care professionals start good blogs; there are so many issues confronting the industry that need a more public face. Blogging is a great platform for that.
I'm glad there's an increase in the confidence readers place in health care blogs. After all, our profession depends on trust.
If you come across more health care related blogs, would you mind contacting me (email is on my site)? I'd be interested to see how this niche grows: it could become one of the largest.
Will do Phil. By the way,
Will do Phil.
By the way, have you been able to notice just how big of a niche natural healing is? What about sites pertaining to herbal supplements which are not run my internet marketers? I think natural healing or alternative medicines is a popular medical topic these days.
Yes it is
Health blogs have helped me for the last 5 years. I have found that moderation is key.
Agreed
I'm new to blogging, but I can see how there is value here. Many people are emotionally vested in their heath and are looking for answers to their questions - wherever they can find them. As far as monetization goes, there are certainly many affiliate programs out there users can tap into to make money off their blog...if only enough to pay for the domain and the hosting.
Natural Health Blogs
I get a lot of information from health blogs and write alternative health articles like this one: Cancer Diet For High Risk People
I think this health blog will get very successful.
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