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Generation X adhered to 2009 H1N1 pandemic recommendations
Miller JD. The Generation X Report. 2012;1:1-8.
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A significant number of US adults aged 36 to 39 years — dubbed Generation X — demonstrated the ability to find relevant information and discuss information on the 2009 H1N1 pandemic with their friends and co-workers and to make decisions about vaccination against the virus, according to Jon D. Miller, MD.
Problems of supply early on in the epidemic and the decrease in the number of deaths or serious illnesses later on in the epidemic are what lead to only one in five adults receiving the vaccine. “On balance, it was a demonstration that the majority of these young adults were able to find and make sense of relevant information when they needed it,” Miller, of the University of Michigan, told Infectious Disease News.
For the 2009 Longitudinal Study of American Youth, the researchers surveyed a national sample of young adults aged 36 to 39 years about their awareness, concern, knowledge and actions regarding the H1N1 influenza epidemic.
Adults with children at home were more likely than those without children to closely follow H1N1 (62% vs. 47%); report information seeking and sharing activities (24% vs. 18%); and to get vaccinated against H1N1 (24% vs. 16%).
Although adults reported receiving information from a variety of sources (print, television, Internet and conversation with friends, co-workers and family), physicians and the NIH were the most trusted sources of information, according to the study.
“Physicians and other health professionals should give their patients both medicine and therapy (if needed) and a reference list of credible information sources and links, from standard brochures to lists of URL’s to good sites,” Miller said. “Most patients will discuss the advice or instructions of their physician or pharmacist with other trusted individuals. The physician is still the most trusted voice, but is seldom the sole voice.”
“Understanding the reactions of Generation X to this threat may help public health officials and communicators deal more effectively with future epidemics and similar crises,” he said.
Disclosure: This research was funded by the National Science Foundation.
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