outreach to the latino community: consumer health information resources
TRANSCRIPT
Outreach to the Latino Community: Consumer Health
Information ResourcesBrenda Linares, MLIS, AHIP
Outreach Librarian Health Science Library
UNC Chapel Hill October 21th, 2015
Health Literacy
• Is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.
• Health literacy is dependent on individual and systemic factors:– Communication skills of lay persons and professionals
– Lay and professional knowledge of health topics
– Culture
– Demands of the healthcare and public health systems
– Demands of the situation/context
http://health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/factsbasic.htm
• The NAAL (National Assessment of Adult Literacy) reported a relationship between health literacy and race or ethnicity. White respondents scored better on the survey than other ethnic or racial groups. Only 9% of White respondents scored at the lowest (Below Basic) level. However, 24% of Blacks, 41% of Hispanics, 13% of Asians, and 25% of American Indian and Native Alaskan respondents scored at the "Below Basic" level.
http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/populations/REMP/hispanic.html
• Culturally and linguisticallyappropriate services need to be respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices and needs of diverse
• Patients organizations are looking to meet the challenges of serving diverse communities and provide high quality services and care.
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=1&lvlid=6
Cultural Competency
Guidelines for providing health information
• Founded on Standards Reference practices
• Take into account privacy, specialized nature of medical information
1. Provide a welcoming, safe environment.
2. Be aware of the person asking the question.
3. Get as much information as possible.
http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/ethics.html
Guidelines for providing health information
4. Verify medical terminology in a medical dictionary or
encyclopedia.
5. Be aware of the limitations of medical information.
6. Provide the most complete information to answer the information request.
http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/ethics.html
National Library of Medicine
• National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
• Center of information innovation
• World’s largest biomedical library
• Coordinates a 6,000-member National Network of Libraries of Medicine
• Promotes & provides access to free health information
National Network of Libraries of Medicine
• National Library of Medicine
• NN/LM
– Provide Outreach/Support to provide health information services
– Training and professional development opportunities
– Funding for health information outreach projects
• http://nnlm.gov/
Consumer Health Resources in Spanish
MedlinePlus en Español
• Encyclopedia in Spanish
• Videos and Multimedia
• Magazine NIH MedlinePlus Salud
– Request Free
• Patient Handouts
Tox Mystery
• Fun Game to learn about chemical exposure at home
• kids age 7 to 10 find clues about toxic substances
• Guides for Parents and teachers
– Activities
• Hazardous Materials
NLM Outreach Awards
• Amounts: $6,000, $10,000
• Promote Consumer Health Resources
• iPads/Computers/Printers
• Pamphlets
• Free giveaways
• Collaboration between public and health sciences libraries
Outreach
• Health Fairs– High Schools– Community Centers– Flea Market– Hospitals
• Public Library and Health Sciences Library
• Medical Students• Community Organizations• Nurses• Cultural Festivals
Fiesta del Pueblo
Other ideas to consider:
• Develop partnerships – school librarians– math teachers– health teachers– science teachers– school nurses
• Work with Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language initiatives
http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/hlthlit.html
Outreach Ideas
• Health information classes at the public library
• Work with consumer advocate organizations
• Partner with community-based organizations to develop outreach programs to senior-citizen facilities
• Work with consumer advocate organizations on outreach programs to vulnerable populations.
Thank you!
Any Questions?
Brenda Linares, MLIS, AHIPOutreach Librarian
Health Science LibraryUNC Chapel Hill