Online health communities

Online health communities (OHCs) are a type of online social network focused on health-related topics. They enable patients, caregivers, and health professionals to exchange information, share experiences, and provide social support. Participants may include individuals living with specific illnesses, medical professionals with shared clinical interests, non-professional caregivers, or a combination of these groups. The term is primarily used in academic and health informatics literature.

Increased internet access has coincided with greater use of online health information resources. Surveys of U.S. adults indicate that most internet users seek health-related information online, and that many individuals with medical conditions use online platforms to connect with others who share similar experiences.

OHCs may operate as standalone platforms or as interactive features within larger health information websites, including discussion forums and peer-support networks. Depending on the structure of the community, participants may share personal illness experiences, exchange knowledge and information about treatments, and discuss disease-specific concerns.

Research has examined the use of OHCs among individuals with conditions such as cancer, HIV/Aids, infertility, diabetes, and other rare diseases. Studies describe these communities as venues for the exchange of informational and emotional support. Research has also identified the presences highly active members in online health communities, sometimes referred to as 'superusers', who are associated with patterns of engagement within these communities .

OHCs differ from static health information websites in that they facilitate interactive communication among users. They vary in scope, membership structure, and accessibility, ranging from open public forums to moderated or condition-specific networks.