(329) GEOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION GOOGLE SEARCHES IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) significantly impacts the well-being and quality of life of millions of men. Understanding geographic patterns and associated factors influencing ED search trends can offer valuable insights for healthcare improvement and advocacy. This study investigates the correlation between Google search trends for ED and various factors across different U.S. states, focusing on healthcare accessibility, demographic characteristics, and socioeconomic status. Objective To analyze Google search trends for ED across different states in the United States in correlation with the urologist-to-population ratio, percentage of the population aged 65 and older, median household income, and percentage of state residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. Methods Google search trends for ED were collected over a 12-month period between May 2023 and May 2024, with the specific term “erectile dysfunction”. Synonyms such as impotence, sexual dysfunction, erectile difficulty, erection problems, erectile disorder, erection impairment, and erection failure were also included to strengthen the data. The Google search trends provided data for individual states and were ranked on a scale of 1 to 100 to determine ED search popularity. We then analyzed the search volume alongside variables including the urologist-to-population ratio, percentage of the population aged 65 and older, median household income, and percentage of state residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. Pearson correlation coefficients and correlation analyses were conducted to examine the linear relationships between ED search volumes and these factors that create significant geographical variations. Results Significant geographic disparities in ED search volumes were identified across U.S. states. Higher ED search volumes were associated with a greater urologist-to-population ratio (r = 0.39, p = 0.0042) and a higher percentage of older adults (r = 0.51, p = 0.0002). No significant correlation was found between median household income and ED search volumes (r = -0.03, p = 0.8704). Similarly, there was no significant correlation between educational attainment and ED search volumes (r = -0.16, p = 0.2581). Conclusions The findings highlight the impact of healthcare accessibility and demographic factors on ED search trends. States with better healthcare access and a higher proportion of older adults show increased public interest in ED. These insights can guide targeted healthcare improvements and advocacy efforts. Future research should explore causative factors and potential interventions to address identified disparities. Disclosure No.