Ihelps: Internet HIV/AIDS education: Linking the public to science

Thirty years ago, the first cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) garnered the world's attention. Since then, over 575,000 Americans have lost their lives to AIDS and more than 56,000 people in the United States become infected with HIV each year. Currently, there are more than 1.1 million Americans living with HIV. Even though we are thirty years into the epidemic, HIV/AIDS remains a critical public health problem for specific populations. Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS since the epidemic's beginning, and that disparity has deepened over time. Blacks account for more new HIV infections, AIDS diagnoses, people estimated to be living with HIV disease, and HIV-related deaths than any other racial/ethnic group in the U.S. ihelps (Internet-based HIV/AIDS Education: Linking the Public to Science) is an IT-based project aimed to promote and improve access to HIV/AIDS information in a user-friendly way. The purpose of ihelps is to increase awareness of, access to, and utilization of the wealth of science-based health resources complied by the NLM. ihelps was developed and guided by two theoretical models that fit well with our target population: the health communications model and the social cognitive theory. ihelps is an important strategy to help communities of color and the health professionals who serve them have access to reliable HIV/AIDS information and resources to effectively prevent and manage HIV/AIDS. Efforts to advance internet-based and mobile access to HIV/AIDS information may help to close the chronic disease gap and minimize digital disparities. ihelps provided training across the life-span (youth, women, and men) on one of the most critical public health problems in the history of the United States – HIV/AIDS. This project revealed that communities are increasing their knowledge and developing new skills to fight against HIV/AIDS. Technology-based education has many rewards and consumers are cashing-in.