US Public Interest in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Following Jimmy Buffett's Death and Implications for Continued Health Advocacy: Infodemiology Study of Google Trends

Macy Haight; Hayden R Jacobs; Sarah K Boltey; Kelly A Murray; Micah Hartwell

doi:10.2196/60282

US Public Interest in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Following Jimmy Buffett's Death and Implications for Continued Health Advocacy: Infodemiology Study of Google Trends

JMIR Dermatol. 2024 Oct 31:7:e60282. doi: 10.2196/60282.

Authors

Macy Haight¹, Hayden R Jacobs¹, Sarah K Boltey¹, Kelly A Murray², Micah Hartwell³

Affiliations

¹ Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, 19500 E Ross St, Tahlequah, OK, 74464, United States, 1 8067360441.
² Department of Emergency Medicine, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States.
³ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States.

PMID: 39481118
PMCID: PMC11542905
DOI: 10.2196/60282

Abstract

Through Jimmy Buffett's unfortunate battle with lymphoma originating from Merkel cell carcinoma and subsequent media coverage of his death, public interest in skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, and the health effects of sunlight exposure increased, as evidenced by our results.

Keywords: Google Trends; USA; United States; cancer; carcinoma; cell carcinoma; infodemiology; infodemiology study; merkel cell carcinoma; skin cancer; sun; sunlight; temporal analysis.

Publication types

Historical Article

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Merkel Cell* / pathology
Famous Persons
History, 20th Century
Humans
Internet
Male
Public Opinion
Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
Sunlight / adverse effects
United States / epidemiology