The majority (80%) of U.S. Internet users look for health information, making it the third most popular online activity, following email and using a search engine, according to a new report by the Pew Internet Project.

The most likely groups to look online for health information include: caregivers, women, whites, younger adults, and adults with at least some college education. The groups least likely to look online for health information include: African Americans, Latinos, people living with disability, older adults, and adults with a high school education or less.

"The internet has become a go-to resource for most Americans, but some groups are still on the other side of the health information divide," says Susannah Fox, associate director of the Pew Internet Project and author of the study.

"Many people, particularly the most vulnerable populations, are not likely to see the most up-to-date information on drug recalls, food safety, and medical treatments."

Other findings from the report include:

*66% of internet users look online for information about a specific disease or medical problem. The top five conditions searched for on WebMD, for example, are shingles, gallbladder, gout, hemorrhoids, and lupus.

*56% of internet users look online for information about a certain medical treatment or procedure. The top five treatments searched for on WebMD, for example, are pain relievers, anti-depressants, high blood pressure medication, corticosteroids, and hysterectomy.

*44% of internet users look online for information about doctors or other health professionals.

*36% of internet users look online for information about hospitals or other medical facilities.

*33% of internet users look online for information related to health insurance, including private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.