Personal and public health searches in Flint increased as evidence of water contamination mounted
Proportion of all Google searches that contain Flint water crisis-related terms for Personal Health or Public Health categories within Flint area
Sep 24–25
High blood lead levels detected in Flint children;
Flint issues lead warning
Larger
proportion
of searches
Oct 1
Genesee County issues public health emergency
Oct 16
Flint reconnects
to Detroit water
Personal health
Public health
Smaller
proportion
of searches
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
J
2014
2015
2016
Note: For details on search topic definitions and sampling, see the Methodology.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of Google Health API data for Jan. 5, 2014-July 2, 2016.
“Searching for News: The Flint Water Crisis”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Personal and public health searches in Flint increased as evidence of water contamination mounted
Proportion of all Google searches that contain Flint water crisis-related terms for Personal Health or Public Health categories within Flint area
Oct 16
Flint reconnects to Detroit water
Larger
proportion
of searches
Oct 1
Genesee County issues public health emergency
Sep 24–25
High blood lead levels detected in Flint children; Flint issues lead warning
Personal health
Public health
Smaller
proportion
of searches
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
J
F
M
A
M
J
2014
2015
2016
Note: For details on search topic definitions and sampling, see the Methodology.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of Google Health API data for Jan. 5, 2014-July 2, 2016.
“Searching for News: The Flint Water Crisis”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Personal and public health searches in Flint increased as evidence of water contamination mounted
Proportion of all Google searches that contain Flint water crisis-related terms for Personal Health or Public Health categories within Flint area
Larger
proportion
of searches
A
B
C
Personal health
Smaller
proportion
of searches
Public health
2014
2015
2016
Sep 24–25 High blood lead levels detected in Flint children;
Flint issues lead warning
A
Oct 1 Genesee County issues public health emergency
B
Oct 16 Flint reconnects to Detroit water
C
Note: For details on search topic definitions and sampling, see the Methodology.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of Google Health API data for Jan. 5, 2014-July 2, 2016.
“Searching for News: The Flint Water Crisis”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
