It is important to me to be informed about health issues.

0.24

    I need to know about health issues so I can keep myself and my family healthy.

0.23

    When I am sick, I try to get as much information as possible about my disease.

0.23

    Before making a decision about my health, I find out everything I can about the issue.

0.23

    I frequently ask my doctor specific questions about my health.

0.22

    I really enjoy learning about health issues.

0.22

    When I take a medicine, I try to get as much information as possible about its benefits     and side effects.

0.22

    My doctor(s) and I work together to manage my health.

0.22

    I like to get health information from a variety of sources.

0.21

    To be and stay healthy it is critical to be informed about health issues.

0.21

    When I read or hear something that's relevant to my health care, I bring it up with my     doctor.

0.21

    My doctor provides me with practical health information.

0.21

    I make sure my doctor answers my questions in ways that I can understand.

0.20

    I make a point to read and watch stories about health.

0.20

    I have a good relationship with my health care provider.

0.19

    I discuss all possible treatment options with my doctor before deciding which treatment to     choose.

0.18

    My doctor is a good source of information about health issues.

0.17

    I feel better if I can confirm a health recommendation from several sources.

0.14

   I would like to see more TV shows use health problems and issues in their storylines.

0.11

    I leave it up to my doctor to make the right decisions about my health.

-0.08

    I rely on my doctor to tell me everything I need to know to manage my health.

-0.09

    I wish I felt more in control of my health.

-0.12

    I am overwhelmed by the amount of health information these days.

-0.12

    I often don't understand the language my doctor uses.

-0.13

    Most health issues are too complex for me to understand.

-0.14

    I have difficulty understanding a lot of health information.

-0.14

    I don't pay attention to health information unless it's about a problem I have.

-0.15

    There is too much media coverage of health issues.

-0.15

    I never seem to find good answers to my health questions and concerns.    

-0.17

    I don't have time to bother with learning have time to bother with learning a lot of     health information.

-0.19

“Reliance” Composite Variable^a

    I have difficulty understanding a lot of the health information that I read.

0.35

    Most health issues are too complex for me to understand.

0.33

    I rely on my doctor to tell me everything I need to know to manage my health.

0.29

    I don't pay attention to health information unless it's about a problem I have.

0.27

    I often don't understand the language my doctor uses.

0.25

    I never seem to find good answers to my health questions and concerns.

0.24

    I don't have time to bother with learning a lot of health information.

0.23

   There is too much media coverage of health issues.

0.22

    I am overwhelmed by the amount of health information these days.

0.22

   When I read or hear something that's relevant to my health care, I bring it up with my     doctor.

0.21

    I wish I felt more in control of my health.

0.21

    I frequently ask my doctor specific questions about my health.

0.21

    My doctor(s) and I work together to manage my health.

0.19

    I discuss all possible treatment options with my doctor before deciding which treatment to     choose.

0.17

    I leave it to my doctor to make the right decisions about my health.

0.16

    My doctor provides me with practical health information.

0.15

    I have a good relationship with my health care provider.

0.13

    I would like to see more TV shows use health problems and issues in their storylines.

0.12

    My doctor is a good source of information about health issues.

0.12

    When I am sick, I try to get as much information as possible about my disease.

0.10

    I make a point to read and watch stories about health.

0.10

    I feel better if I can confirm a health recommendation from several sources.

0.09

    Before making a decision about my health, I find out everything I can about the issue.

0.08

    I need to know about health issues so I can keep myself and my family healthy.

0.06

    When I take a medicine, I try to get as much information as possible about its benefits     and side effects.

0.06

    I make sure my doctor answers my questions in ways that I can understand.

0.06

    I really enjoy learning about health issues.

0.02

    I like to get health information from a variety of sources.

0.01

    To be and stay healthy it is critical to be informed about health issues.

-0.01

“Health Control” Composite Variable^b

    I actively try to prevent diseases and illnesses.

0.52

    I do everything I can to stay healthy.

0.49

    Eating right, exercising, and preventive measures will keep me healthy for life.

0.44

0.44

    I wish I felt more in control of my health.

-0.31