Early in the AIDS epidemic, the individuals infected and affected by the disease as well as their caregivers cried out for current, accurate, scientific information. In response to this expressed need, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) made funds available to community based, service provider organizations (CBOs), including libraries, to provide the affected community with immediate electronic HIV/AIDS information. In Houston, Texas, key AIDS clinical, educational, and service organizations were identified, and five CBOs organized a consortium. A health sciences library coordinated and prepared the NLM grant application to help create the Houston AIDS Information Link (HAIL).
The consortium now includes 13 CBOs representing the diversity of the Houston community affected by HIV. Computers with Internet access have been supplied to each CBO. Classes are taught in HIV information access and web site development. HAIL's web page [http://www.hailinfo.org] links to member agencies' home pages and guides users to significant HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and wellness resources. Through networking among member agencies, HAIL has provided training and grant writing expertise for its members and projects of other CBOs that represent underserved populations. HAIL continues its training and educational efforts in order to help the agencies identify culturally and language appropriate resources and community GIS data sources that help these agencies better communicate with their clients and funding agencies. HAIL aims to promote improved information access for the community agencies' clients by partnering with existing CBOs, such as public and health sciences libraries.
See www.hailinfo.org
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, learners will be able to: 1. Identify community based organizations that would benefit from receiving technical and educational assistance in locating Internet based health and wellness information. 2. Assess the advantages of organizing a number of community based organizations into a network for locating and sharing health information. 3. Evaluate the kind of information that community based organizations want and need to educate their clients and staff. Identify information databases and GIS resources that have community level information necessary for preparation of well documented grant proposals. 4. Recognize the role of a health science library in a community health outreach project.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Internet
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: NLM
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Receives NLM funding