Facebook users balk at sharing PHI

A study released this week shows that 68 percent of Facebook users have never shared – and never plan to share – personal health information on the social networking site.

The poll, which surveyed 1,000 Americans, was sponsored by the New York-based Path of the Blue Eye Project, which bills itself as an initiative designed to encourage "greater collaboration and knowledge sharing among health marketing communications professionals."

[See also: Facebook boosts patient engagement.]

Among respondents to the survey, the most common reason cited for refusing to post health-related status updates on Facebook (86 percent) was "it's nobody's business but my own," according to the project.

It also found that privacy concerns prompt many to avoid sharing: 39 percent of non-sharers are afraid strangers will find their health information, and 32% worry marketers might use their personal health content to sell products and services.

[See also: 30 Reasons to use social media in an emergency.]

Despite recent news reports suggesting that insurance providers are mining Facebook for information on members' medical status, just 11 percent of non-sharers reported being concerned about payers accessing their health content.

For more information, visit pbeye.info/facebookhealth.