While I certainly agree with your suggestion that there might be self-selection bias in play (as commented on in the article), to suggest that the subjects were concerned about the NSA or Google is ridiculous. The study was undertaken between 1984 and 1994. Google didn't exist and the vast majority of the population had no internet access. The idea of electronic data privacy had probably not even occurred to most approached. I would be surprised if more than a handful of those approached (all aged above 65 in 1994) even owned a computer.
Please don't hijack every comment thread with irrelevent complaints about the NSA.
Ok, I did not pay attention to the timespan, thought it is much more recent study. This however, doesn't alter anything, people today are no more willing to self-reveal fatal/terminal/disabling ilnesses, or even to accept having one - than 100 years ago
Please don't hijack every comment thread with irrelevent complaints about the NSA.