eHealth portals: who uses them and why?

The role of the Internet and specifically ehealth portals continue to expand at a significant pace. The various major functions of ehealth portals are identified, along with the results of an online survey conducted among employees of eight major U.S. employers. Demographic variables, job characteristics, reasons for use of the portal and selected behavioral outcomes are presented from a sample of more than 20,000 employees, with a response rate in relation to the entire employee population of 19%. Major implications from the survey findings are then identified, with an intention of enhancing the health improvement effectiveness of the ehealth portal.