Men's and women's information needs when selecting a health plan: results of a national survey

A national survey designed to find out what information people want before they choose a health plan revealed significant differences between men and women. Women were the more knowledgeable and astute health plan consumers. They read the materials about health plans and needed more detailed and pertinent information than men. This is not surprising since, in general, women use the health care system more than men; they bring children to the pediatrician, care for older parents, and visit physicians while they are healthy. The survey demonstrates the need for the health care industry to give consumers, particularly women, better information about health plans. It also provides a basis for moving the concept of women's health beyond reproduction to include health care in its entirety.