200875 Applying Web 2.0 to Public Health Practice

Saturday, November 7, 2009: 1:40 PM

Alison Grodzinski, MLIS , Prevention Research Center of Michigan, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Gillian Mayman, MLIS , Health Sciences Libraries, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Whitney Townsend, MLIS , Health Sciences Libraries, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
This session will provide an overview of the significance of Web 2.0 and its value to public health practice. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, in 2008 80% of internet users have searched online for health information. There have been significant increases in the numbers of people watching videos online, reading blogs, and joining social networking sites. One third of adult internet users in the U.S. have a profile on a social networking site as well as 65% of online teenagers. These technologies are being used not only to exchange information, but to build online communities for learning and support. As such, Web 2.0 has enormous potential to revolutionize ways in which public health workers reach their target populations and improve communication within their organization and within the profession.

Specific Web 2.0 technologies will be presented including blogs, wikis and collaborative writing tools, media sharing sites, and online social networks. For each technology, examples of how they are being used in public health practice will be demonstrated. A classroom response system (clicker system) will be used to solicit participant feedback throughout the session. Participants will then break out into small groups to discuss possible applications of Web 2.0 technologies for their organizations and communities.

Learning Objectives:
Describe 5 Web 2.0 technologies and their applications for public health practice. Identify at least one potential application of a Web 2.0 technology for their organization or community Formulate an implementation plan for at least one application of a Web 2.0 technology for their organization or community

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have twelve years experience as a health sciences librarian focusing on online health information seeking behavior, and web-based health information systems. I have experience teaching and developing curriculums for web-based, hands-on classes to adults and adolescents. I am the Communications Coordinator for the Prevention Research center of Michigan and have experience writing grant proposals for implementing web 2.0 technology into health behavior research, developing health communications materials. I am a member of the onsite implementation team and instruction team for the Local Public Health 2.0 project. In this project I have worked with two local health departments to evaluate and implement on web 2.0 technologies into the work of the department. I have completed 40.0 credit hours of coursework in health behavior/health education from Central Michigan University and from the University of Michigan. Courses include: Materials and Methods, Program Planning and Evaluation, Survey Methodology, Health Management and Policy, and Biostatistics. As such, I am able to bring knowledge of both information technology and public health fields to this program.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Web 2.0 for Public Health Practice
See more of: APHA-Learning Institute (APHA-LI)