Hospital Collaboration with a Public Library
Document Type
Presentation, Other
Publication Date
4-1-2012
Abstract
Baystate Health is a teaching hospital located in Springfield, MA. Our city’s population is 52% White; 22% Black; 39% Hispanic (regardless of race). Nearly 24% of our families speak Spanish at home. Poverty rates are 27%, as compared with 10% statewide. These populations are less likely to use the internet to find health information. The Dept of Health & Human Services draws a correlation between internet-based information seeking and the status of people experiencing disease, finding inverse relationships between internet use and incidence of asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other conditions. Libraries play a role in Healthy People 2020 by maintaining public internet access and teaching computer literacy classes.
Recommended Citation
Malachowski M. Hospital Collaboration with a Public Library. National Health Promotion Summit. Washington, DC. Apr 10-Apr 11, 2012.
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons