Sources and level of information about health issues and preventive services among young-old persons in Switzerland

OBJECTIVES: to describe the sources of health information in young-old persons, and how they feel informed about preventive services. METHODS: 1567 randomly selected persons aged 65-69 years were asked where they did get information about health, and whether they felt sufficiently informed about recommended preventive services. RESULTS: Most participants (over 90%) cited their physician as a source of health information, while only 4% cited the Internet. Level of information was low for several preventive services, including colon cancer screening (55% felt sufficiently informed) and immunization against pneumonia (27% sufficiently informed). CONCLUSIONS: Promotion of preventive services in older populations should take into account the preponderant role of physicians as a source of information and advice