4150.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - Board 6

Abstract #26149

Connecting Latinos: A quality assurance rating system for internet health portals

Alberto Jose Cardelle, PhD, MPH and Steve Godin, Phd, MPH. Public Health Program, East Stroudsburg University, 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, 570-422-3401, acardelle@po-box.esu.edu

Globalization is partially driven by the explosion in information technology. But many are left behind in the process because they reside on the wrong side of the "technology-divide." Although Latinos are the second most "connected" group (36% of Latinos report having internet access), the full advantage of the internet requires that they have access to quality information. Despite the rapid growth of health portals -- Internet sites used to gather information about disease and wellness - there is growing concern about what material is to be trusted. This session presents the results of a study that analyzed the quality of the information presented in fifty randomly selected health portals aimed at Latino health issues. In this session, participants will learn about a number of criteria proposed for rating the quality of Internet-based health portals used by Latino consumers in preventive health care. Participants will be able to identify 12 criteria that were used in reviewing the randomly selected health portals to assess accuracy, clarity, and overall quality and appropriateness for a Latino population. During this session, recommendations regarding which health portals are most effective will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives: In this session, 1)participants will learn about a number of criteria proposed for rating the quality of Internet-based health portals, 2) participants will be able to identify 12 criteria that were used in reviewing health portals to assess accuracy, clarity, and overall quality, 3)participants will be given recommendations regarding which health portals are most effective.

Keywords: Latino Health, Internet

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA