Building community bridges for health: consumer health librarians as health advocates

Library Trends, Wntr, 2005 by Michele A. Spatz

* Identify best practices

* Share relevant news stories and important research results related to community initiatives

* Compile trends data and other statistical information such as census data, demographics, morbidity and mortality data, and health status indicators

Such research or evidence-based partnerships provide a solid foundation for constructing local health initiatives.

Librarians may also contribute considerable, well-developed communication skills to health advocacy efforts through public service announcements, fact sheets, resource and referral lists, public education pieces, and Web site development. Such communication provides a framework to change community norms by integrating health initiatives into the fabric and awareness of community life.

Evaluation and quality filtering skills are vital to select appropriate, meaningful resources. Offering repository and collection development expertise in support of a partnership's health initiatives is another way librarians act as health advocates.

Furthermore, consumers need help to become their own health advocates. Selecting trustworthy health information by evaluating quality and reliability is a librarian's forte. Librarians' intimate knowledge of such criteria enables them to reach consumers by identifying quality health information. Partnerships with other health advocates opens the door to a broader audience.

CONCLUSION

The recent news about the health of the nation is distressing. Approximately 61 percent of adults are overweight, as are 14 percent of youth. Because of this trend, Type II diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, arthritis, and breathing problems are on the increase (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Healthy People 2010 provides a blueprint for addressing the nation's health by identifying fundamental concepts needing attention. Health information is a key component of Healthy People 2010. By applying principles of partnership and bringing their considerable professional skills to community health initiatives, librarians contribute to improving the nation's health.

Now that's advocacy!

REFERENCES

Healthy People 2010. (n.d.). Leading health indicators. Retrieved August 13, 2004, from www. healthypeople.gov/lhi.

Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. Retrieved August 13, 2004, from www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html.> U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Overweight and obesity: At a glance. Retrieved August 13, 2004, from www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fac_glance.htm.> Michele A. Spatz, Planetree Health Resource Center, Mid-Columbia Medical Center, 200 E. 4th St., The Dallas, Oregon 97058

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