New York and Boston have declared Public Health Emergencies; Dr. Anthony Facui, , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, has indicated that we in what is classically described as a flu epidemic. In response to this, as librarians and information specialists, we can share messages through our social media communication tools on reliable and trustworthy health information. Below are suggested messages developed by the Health and Human Services New Media Team. Consider using them on your accounts this week!

Siobhan Champ-Blackwell, MSLIS (Contractor)
Health Sciences Librarian
Aquilent, Inc., supporting the mission of the National Library of Medicine
Specialized Information Services Division
Disaster Information Management Research Center
siobhan.champ-blackwell@nih.gov
https://twitter.com/NLM_DIMRC

Twitter
• It takes 2 weeks after vaccination for you to be protected. Use our finder to find a #flu vaccine center near you. http://bit.ly/Soutac
• Teachers-help keep your classrooms free of germs. Teach healthy habits at school to prevent flu in your classroom. http://go.usa.gov/gmfJ
• There are three different types of #flu shot and a nasal spray. Which is the right one for you? http://go.usa.gov/YpKQ
• #Flu activity is high across most states in the US now. Learn more about preventing #flu. Visit www.flu.gov.
• Vaccination is the best protection against #flu but vaccine may be limited in some areas. Use http://flushot.healthmap.org to locate vaccine.
• Got the #flu? Don’t share it. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away. Visit www.Flu.gov • It’s #flu season. www.Flu.gov provides advice on caring for yourself and loved ones who are sick.
• If you still need #flu vaccine, now’s the time to get vaccinated. #Flu is widespread in many states.
• #FluView, a weekly report of #flu activity in the U.S., is available on the @CDCgov website at http://1.usa.gov/e30wKG
• Find out what’s happening near you on the @CDCgov #flu map. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm

Facebook
• If you haven’t already been vaccinated for the flu, now’s the time. Vaccine may be limited in some areas. You may need to contact more than one provider (pharmacy, health department, or doctor) to find available vaccine. Visit www. http://flushot.healthmap.org for more information.
• Learn more about how to care for loved ones with the flu, including people at high risk (children, seniors, and people with chronic conditions). Start by getting vaccinated, practicing healthy habits like covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and washing hands regularly. Visit www.flu.gov for more information.

Nicholas Garlow
Digital Communications Division
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
@HHSNewMedia

Sound like a fairy tale? Exactly! A report format that follows a typical story-telling structure can help you communicate your project’s story so that stakeholders may actually pay attention. In this format, you use evaluation data to complement, not overpower, the most important messages you want to convey. Cindy Olney, from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Outreach Evaluation Resource Center, will describe how to use a story format to report evaluation findings. This format can be adapted for written reports, presentations, and even elevator speeches.

Join us for a webinar on February 14, 2013 to learn more.
Time: 2 – 3 PM EST
Register on our NER Training Calendar
Attend and earn 1 MLA CE.

Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Time: 2 PM
Earn 1 MLA CE unit

Come learn creative ideas for health information outreach projects. Guest speakers include: Irena Bond from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Margot Malachowski from the Baystate Medical Center, Elsie Flemings from the Healthy Acadia Healthy Maine Partnership and Manuela Raposo from the Dorcas Place Welcome Back Center. Our guest speakers will share stories from their health information outreach projects. You will learn tips to plan your project, apply for funding, identify community partners, foster collaborations, integrate assessment and evaluation into your project, cope with barriers, increase community support and sustain your project.

Register on the NN/LM NER training calendar.

This program is sponsored by the Healthy Communities, Community of Interest.

Congratulations to Deborah Clark, Library Director at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, Maine and NN/LM NER Healthy Communities COI Leader. Deb was appointed by Gov LePage to the Maine Library Commission. Linda Lord, Maine State Librarian, wrote to the HSLIC listserv, “We look forward to her participation knowing that she will be a great asset.” Way to go, Deb!