Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107070

Karyn L. Pomerantz, MLS, MPH, GW School of Public Health & Health Svcs., 2175 K St. NW #716, Washington, DC 20037, 202/416-0408, kpomeran@gwu.edu, Eduardo Pezo, MPH, School of Public Health & Health Services, GWU, 2175 K Street NW #716, Washington, DC 20037, and The Health Information Partners, DCPL, PIA, SEA, CHC, MWPHA, Health Centers, AHEC, Himmelfarb Library, MAPHTC, Right, Inc., ISCOPES, HSC Fnd., 2175 K St. NW #716, Washington, DC 20037.

In 2000, Partners for Health Information launched a community health information literacy program to bring electronic health information resources into the neighborhood health centers. Since 2000, Partners collaborated with health centers, service learning students, and community advocates to reach 4500 people.

In 2003 with funding from the National Library of Medicine, our collaborators created Health Information Partners (HIPS), a coalition of 18 organizations dedicated to advancing health information literacy and equity. Members include the state adult education agency, primary care coalitions, HIV advocates, public libraries, the AHEC, a university library, a public health school, the local public health association, peer educators, and health centers. Our members contribute skills and knowledge from the fields of adult education, library science, and health; material resources including a mobile technology classroom, libraries, training centers, and staff; and vast community relationships. These contributions enable us to reach a diverse, multi-jurisdictional region with formal classes, outreach visits, and health advocacy.

The principles of community based participatory research (inclusion, multi-racial/ethnic collaboration, and shared decision making) guide us. HIPS members meet monthly and serve on committees to develop training curricula, promotional materials, funding proposals, and evaluations. A community assessment affirmed community interest in improving health information access and skills. During its first year, HIPS held 14 monthly planning meetings, bimonthly community forums, and a minimum of two training classes and ten outreach visits each month.

Successful outreach and collaboration require frequent onsite presence, involvement in health issues, principles of inclusion and adult learning, relationship building, and resource sharing.

Learning Objectives: