Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com

Baby boomers overwhelmingly turn to their doctors more than the Internet for health care advice and information.

That's not to say, however, that they aren't spending a considerable amount of time on the Web; most soak up online information about their symptoms or conditions before their physician's visit so they are better equipped to ask questions.

Between pharmacists, blogs, and TV, boomers - those born between 1946 and 1964 - are paying attention to a variety of health-related sources.

In general, they tend to be more hungry for health information than so-called mature adults, born before 1946, according to new research from Focalyst, joint venture of AARP Services and The Kantar Group.

About 93 percent of both boomers and matures said doctors are their No. 1 source of health information. But that's where the similarities end, with distinct differences by age.

While boomers are more likely to rely on friends or family next, matures prefer to interact with their pharmacists. Boomers also are more likely to consult magazines, consumer health advocacy groups and alternative health practitioners than matures. 

"While Boomers have a high degree of trust in their physicians, often they go to doctor's visits with their own ideas about their health, already well informed...," said Heather Stern, director of marketing for Focalyst. "And in some cases, they have very definitive ideas about treatments for their conditions, which may not always be in-line with what their doctor suggests."

To be sure, information gleaned from various sources is intended to inform, not self-diagnose.

Top Concerns
Aside from researching aches and pains that come with aging, there are some significant health care issues currently drawing attention. That includes Medicare cuts set to go into effect Jan. 1 that could limit that number of new Medicare patients physicians treat, hurting retiring boomers going forward. Flu shots are also top of mind. After years of shortages, the Centers for Disease Control is reassuring the public there's ample supply.

Overall, mature adults are more likely than boomers to participate in preventative healthcare, with 84 percent seeking out health screenings or flu shots, compared to 61 percent of boomers. 

Regardless of age, more than 90 percent of older consumers think that the cost of medical care in the U.S. is too high. About 7 in 10 support universal health care, such as proposed earlier this week by New York Senator and presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton.