Abstract: We have has entered the post- COVID-19 epidemic era. Taking the Internet users as the research object, this paper explored the health information needs of the public in the post-epidemic era, in order to provide the basis for the information release and policy making of relevant departments. Taking the social Q&A platform “Zhihu” as an example, a coding system of user health information needs was constructed by combining LDA topic model with manual annotation. The characteristics and evolution rules of user health information needs were revealed from the dimension of time and topic through cycle division, content analysis and needs intensity analysis. In the post-epidemic period, Internet users’ health information needs are mainly concentrated in three aspects, namely, COVID-19 related knowledge, epidemic prevention and control, and social impact. The core need of users is “epidemic prevention and control”, while the unique need is “COVID-19 vaccine”. The research shows that the health information needs of users are still highly sensitive to the epidemic in the post-epidemic era, and also reflect the epidemic prevention and control status.

Key words: Post-epidemic era, Health information needs, LDA topic model, Social Q&, A platform, COVID-19 epidemic