3012.0: Monday, October 22, 2001 - 12:30 PM

Abstract #27029

Health information outreach to local and global communities: Bridging disparities in Internet content and access

Karyn Pomerantz, MPH, MLS1, Angela Ruffin, PhD2, Kris Markovich Alpi, MSLS3, Neil Rambo4, Stephanie L. Normann, MSLS5, Ed Robinson6, Charles Williams, DO6, and Ana Aponte7. (1) School of Public Health & Health Services, GWU, 2300 I Street, NW, #202, Washington, DC 20037, (2) National Network of Libraries Office, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20894, (3) Weill Cornell Medical Library, Cornell University, 1300 New York Avenue, New York City, NY 10021, (4) U Washington Health Sciences Library, National Network/Libraries of Medicine (Pacific Northwest Region), Box 357155, Seattle, WA 98195, (5) School of Public Health Library, University of Texas - Houston, 1200 Hermann Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, (6) Family & Medical Counseling Services, 2041 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20020, (7) Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Health, 2333 Ontario Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20009, , TeenDir@maryscenter.org

Access to electronic health information parallels the same socioeconomic and racist patterns as opportunities for healthy conditions and health care services. However, while access to insured health care is declining, access to usable, culturally relevant health information on the Internet is expanding due to the efforts of community-based organizations, health educators, libraries, academic health centers, and public and private funders. Health educators and librarians are teaching the information literacy skills necessary for health professionals and the public to utilize the Internet as a health information resource with online content relevant to local community needs.

The projects in this session demonstrate different methodologies developed by community based organizations, libraries, and clinics to deliver electronic health and community information to people in their own familiar environments -- from tribal communities and neighborhood clinics in the US to cities and countries where Spanish is spoken. These strategies also illustrate ways in which universities, health care providers, and clients are forming new partnerships to advance personal and community health efforts.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, learners will be able to: 1. Describe the benefits of and barriers to health information outreach projects. 2. Discuss the different methodologies to share health and community information with diverse communities from local to global settings.

Keywords: Outreach Programs, Health Information

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: Project at Mary's Center is funded by NLM.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA