Sue Jacobsen, librarian at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA, saw an article posted on Medscape.com and felt compelled to respond. The editorial, dated Februrary 12, 2007, was written by Susannah Fox of the Pew Internet and American Life Project. In it, Ms. Fox encourages physicians to “…acknowledge that most Americans are using the Internet to gather health information. Ask your patients about their online research. Provide the key words they might use when they go home to search for more information.” (more…)

The Washington Health Foundation (WHF) is funding community initiatives to make Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation. In 2007, WHF has two grant programs: Major Grants and Mini Grants. Both grants encourage community-based initiatives that contribute to making Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation. (more…)

Article by Sue Jacobsen, MLS
Skagit Valley Hospital, Mt. Vernon, WA

The Skagit Valley Health Literacy Project was quickly renamed the GetHELP project for marketing purposes. In this moniker, HELP stands for _H_ealth, _E_ducation, _L_ibrary _P_artnership. GetHELP sought to reach out to the low literate and/or low-income population of health care consumers in Skagit County. The purpose of the project was to improve from a number of different perspectives, the health literacy of this population. Sue Jacobsen, librarian at Skagit Valley Hospital, lead the project. Other partners included public librarians, community college librarians, public health workers and the local senior center. (more…)

Article by Joanne Rich, MLIS
University of Washington Helath Sciences Library

From April 2005 through June 2006, a research project entitled “Evaluating and Promoting Health Literacy in Recovering Addicts and Alcoholics” was conducted at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Seattle, Washington. The aim of the research project was to assess and promote health literacy in recovering addicts and alcoholics and to promote health interventions that can be integrated into the development of long-term recovery plans. A secondary goal was to share experiences and lessons learned with others working with this population in support of long term recovery. (more…)

In addition to the many librarians on the National Library of Medicine staff, NLM relies heavily on the work of medical librarians associated with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, made up of more than 5,800 member organizations. In recognition of National Medical Librarians Month, October 2006, NLM’s web site is currently featuring links to some great representative projects recently carried out by network members around the country. (more…)