 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Susannah Fox, Pew Internet and American Life Project, 1100 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036, Linda Neuhauser, DrPH, Center for Community Wellness, University of California at Berkeley, School of Public Health, 2140 Shattuck Ave 10th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704-1210, David H. Gustafson, PhD, Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 610 Walnut Street, Room 1119, UW-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, and Cynthia Baur, PhD, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 738-G, Washington, DC 20201, 202/205-2311, cbaur@osophs.dhhs.gov.
The Internet is rapidly becoming a critical information and communication medium in public health and medicine. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, and health plans are increasingly relying on the Internet to disseminate information, communicate with members, patients or the general public, and provide electronic tools for individuals to identify and manage their health needs. In recognition of the expanding role of the Internet, Healthy People 2010 has set the target of 80% of households with Internet access by 2010. There is also a Healthy People objective on assessing the quality of online health information. This session will examine who is using the Internet and key research findings about what is need to reach diverse populations with reliable health information and services.
Ms. Fox of the Pew Internet and American Life Project will present national survey results about who is online and why, as well as data on different populations’ online health information seeking behaviors. Dr. Gustafson will summarize the extensive research findings of the CHESS project, one of the best evaluated interactive tools that provide information and support for several chronic conditions. Dr. Neuhauser will discuss considerations of language, culture and literacy related to the use of the Internet. Dr. Baur will moderate the panel and discuss issues related to the evaluation of online health information and services.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Communication, Internet
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.