More than 75 Percent of U.S. Adults Express Concern About Security of Health Care Data, Reveals University of Phoenix Survey
By University of Phoenix
Survey findings demonstrate consumer cyber safety concerns regarding health care records
PHOENIX, Oct. 6, 2015 — In observance of National Health Information Technology (NHIT) Week and to mark the important role health information technology plays in improving U.S. health care delivery, University of Phoenix® College of Health Professions School of Health Services Administration today announced survey findings outlining the comfort level of U.S. adults when sharing their health data. The survey reveals more than three-fourths (76 percent) of U.S. adults are concerned that their health care records are vulnerable to hackers.
Perhaps not surprisingly, those in their 20s (72 percent) and 30s (71 percent) are the least likely to be concerned with the vulnerability of their health care records when compared with older generations, however a strong majority still express concern. Approximately 4 in 5 U.S. adults in their 40s (80 percent) and 50s (83 percent) reported concern.
“In the digital age of health care, protecting patients’ private information from cyber criminals while still making it readily available to the patients themselves is a complex challenge,” said Dr. Mark Johannsson, academic dean for University of Phoenix School of Health Services Administration. “This dichotomy demonstrates the importance of health care systems collaborating with technology industry leaders to preserve patient records, while also making them easily accessible. That’s why University of Phoenix School of Health Services Administration is proactively sharing survey findings like these and working across industries to equip our students with the skills needed to navigate the challenges of the modern health care system.”
U.S. adults are fairly split on their comfort level sharing their health care records across health care networks locally, across state lines and across country borders. Fifty-five percent say they are very or somewhat comfortable, and 45 percent say they are not at all or not very comfortable. Those in their 20s and 30s were more likely to be comfortable (60 and 61 percent) than older respondents. For those in their 40s, 50s and 60s+, 55, 48 and 54 percent, respectively, are very or somewhat comfortable with the possibility of their health care records being shared.
To learn more about University of Phoenix School of Health Services Administration programs, visit www.phoenix.edu/healthadmin.
For general information about University of Phoenix programs, including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the program and other important information, please visit phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of University of Phoenix from Sept. 14-16, 2015, among 2,031 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact becky.frost@apollo.edu.
About National Health Information Technology Week
Now in its tenth year, National Health IT Week is a collaborative forum assembling key health care constituents—vendors, provider organizations, payers, pharmaceutical/biotech companies, government agencies, industry/professional associations, research foundations, and consumer protection groups— working together to elevate national attention to the necessity of advancing health IT. Log onto www.healthitweek.org for more information.
About the School of Health Services Administration
The School of Health Services Administration at the University of Phoenix College of Health Professions offers graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs that prepare students to be successful managers and leaders in the dynamic health care industry. In an era of unprecedented change—from rapid movement toward new technologies, to heightened focus on controlling health care costs while improving patient outcomes, to ongoing changes in the regulatory compliance environment—the School of Health Services Administration equips students with the relevant knowledge and skills they will need to navigate today’s health management world and to effectively tackle all of tomorrow’s challenges. For more information, visit https://www.phoenix.edu/colleges_divisions/health-sciences-nursing/health-administration-programs.html.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
