Seniors: No sharing health information

How do seniors feel about sharing their health information? A poll dealing with health-data privacy conducted last fall by Truven Health Analytics, in conjunction with National Public Radio, has the answer. Researchers wanted to know how people of different ages felt about having their health-care data shared with others, such as health plans, employers and even their own doctors.

Here are some of the results, which varied widely by age:

• When asked if they had any concerns about health-care record privacy, it was the middle group (age 35 to 64) that expressed the most concern. Seniors were the least concerned of all.

• When it came to being willing to share information with researchers (if the information was anonymous), 39 percent of seniors said "no." Ditto to sharing credit card purchases and social-media information if it would improve overall health. Seniors said "no" at 84 percent. (At that point, 98 percent of seniors hadn't been notified that their medical records had been compromised.)

Fast-forward to January 2015, and a few things have changed:

• Seniors who rejected sharing information anonymously with researchers jumped from 39 percent to 56 percent.

• When it came to sharing information for specific reasons, such as developing new treatments and reducing costs of care, seniors were the least likely age group in being willing to share. The same results were seen when seniors were asked about anonymously providing information to researchers, university professors, drug researchers and consultants: The answer was an overwhelming "no."

Why the change of opinion? The answer is likely security. By mid-2014, we'd had nearly 400 security breaches, some of them huge. By the end of 2014 there were 783 security breaches, many of which made the news.

When it comes to safeguarding health information, seniors are paying attention.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to [email protected]. (c) 2015 King Features Synd. Inc.