Do people have an ethical obligation to share their health information? Comparing narratives of altruism and health information sharing in a nationally representative sample.

Belief that there is an ethical obligation to allow one's health information to be used for research is shaped by altruism and by one's experience with, and perceptions of, health care and by general concerns about the use of personal information. Altruism cannot be assumed and researchers must recognize the ways encounters with the health care system influence (un)willingness to share one's health information.