Health Literacy Literati!
If the topics of health literacy and/or health information literacy are not yet on your "radar," you have several opportunities over the next few months to find out more about them, and about how you can become involved in enhancing these literacies in your health information environment.
Read Between the Lines: the MLA teleconference
In September, MLA will be sponsoring a satellite teleconference, "Reading Between the Lines: Focusing on Health Information Literacy." The goal of the teleconference is to enhance the knowledge of information professionals about the concepts of health information literacy and to highlight opportunities for using these principles in the provision of quality consumer health and patient education information services.
The teleconference will be on Wednesday, September 10, 2003, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm P.D.T.
PSRML has sponsored nine of the eleven satellite sites listed for states in the Pacific Southwest region. More information about the teleconference can be found at http://www.mlanet.org/education/telecon/healthlit/index.html. To locate the site nearest you click on the "Teleconference Sites for Individual Participation" link.
Observe in October
As you are celebrating National Medical Librarian's Month (see http://www.mlanet.org/resources/nml-month/2003/index.html), don't forget that October is also Health Literacy Month. As you promote the services and resources of your library, build on what you learn from the September teleconference and consider including some activities that highlight the need for clear communication and understandable health information. These can include:
- Raising awareness and knowledge among those delivering health information in your organization
- Showing how to find easy-to-read health information resources in your collection and on the Internet (HINT: MEDLINEplus.gov is a good place to start!)
- Distributing materials to staff, patients, and members of the public that promote clear communication (check out the Information for Providers and Organizations link at http://www.askme3.org)
- Conducting an event with a literacy partner in your community. To locate a local partner, go to the homepage for the Western/Pacific Literacy Network at http://literacynet.org/lincs/ and click on a state or Pacific Islands link
Learn and Make Connections in January
Mark your calendars for another timely event. Plans are well underway for the PSRML-sponsored, day-long regional symposium in January 2004 that will focus on language and cultural access to health information. The symposium will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2004, the first day of the Joint MLA Chapters meeting in Sacramento. This meeting will include members of MLGSCA, NCNMLG, and the Pacific Northwest Chapter/MLA, as well as other outside participants. The goals for the symposium are to build on the foundation information provided by the September satellite teleconference, provide participants with practical tools and skills, and help them identify specific actions they can take in support of clear communication and improving access to resources that are linguistically and culturally appropriate. You will be able to register for the symposium when the Joint Meeting 2004 site goes live in September or October. Cost for this event will be $35.00, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. MLA CE credit will be offered. Please consider inviting a colleague from your organization to join you for what promises to be an event not to miss!
Look for more detail on the PSRML listserv and in the November/December issue of Latitudes!
[Editor's Note: For a comprehensive list of health observances, such as National Medical Librarian's Month and Health Literacy Month, go to 2003 National Health Observances, available at http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp. Source: 2003 National Health Observances, National Health Information Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.]