The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63155

Kathleen Swenson-Miller, PhD, OTR/L¹, Diane Cornman-Levy, PT, MS², Stacey Bunch-Harrison, OTR/L¹, and Kevin J. Lyons, PhD³. (1) Thomas Jefferson University, Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Occupational Therapy, Suite 810, 130 S. 9th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, (215)503-8012, kathleen.swenson-miller@mail.tju.edu, (2) Center for Collaborative Research, College of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Suite 2200 Edison, 130 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (3) College of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, 130 S. 9th Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19107

As a result of a comprehensive needs assessment of a new transitional housing program, the authors discovered that a primary need identified by residents was to become connected to technology. Three years later, a core group of service providers, researchers, and consumers have: 1)developed computer labs in three different housing programs; 2) completed a qualitative study exploring the meaning of computers and the internet to persons who are homeless; and 3) are in the process of developing an eHealth promotion website for persons who are homeless with chronic health conditions. The purpose of this Interactive Health Communication website is to disseminate quality health information, facilitate informed decision-making, and offer peer support. Emerging evidence suggests that having access to the Internet and a well-designed interactive health communication program can provide significant benefits to economically disadvantaged populations. The homeless population has a large number of people with chronic health conditions and disabilities, and typically has limited access to computers and knowledge of how to use them. The process of developing and evaluating this project will be explored.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:
• Debate the reasons for providing access to technology to the homeless population. 2)Describe the process of developing the infrastructure for computer and internet access for an urban homeless population. 3)Identify stages of designing and evaluating an eHealth promotion website for homeless individuals with chronic health conditions. As a result of a comprehensive needs assessment of a new transitional housing program, the authors discovered that a primary need identified by residents was to become connected to technology. Three years later, a core group of service providers, researchers, and consumers have: 1)developed computer labs in three different housing programs;
• completed a qualitative study exploring the meaning of computers and the internet to persons who are homeless; and
• are in the process of developing an eHealth promotion website for persons who are homeless with chronic health conditions. The purpose of this Interactive Health Communication website is to disseminate quality health information, facilitate informed decision-making, and offer peer support. Emerging evidence suggests that having access to the Internet and a well-designed interactive health communication program can provide significant benefits to economically disadvantaged populations. The homeless population has a large number of people with chronic health conditions and disabilities, and typically has limited access to computers and knowledge of how to use them. The process of developing and evaluating this project will be explored.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.