NLM's Strategic Framework for Bridging the Health Information Divide Elliot R' Siegel, PhD Associate

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NLM's Strategic Framework forBridging the Health
Information DivideElliot R. Siegel,
PhDAssociate DirectorNational Library of
Medicine, NIH, DHHSAMIA Spring Congress,
PhiladelphiaMay 29, 2003
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Urgent need to link individual health
professionals in rural and other underserved
settings to needed health information -- 1989,
DeBakey Outreach Report
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NLM Commits to Outreach with Focus on Minorities
and other Underrepresented Populations

• All Divisions (Dutcher, Ruffin, Wood,
  LaCroix,Corn)
• All funding mechanisms (grants, contracts,
  special RD projects/demonstrations)
• New technology/policy benefits outreach,
  1990-1998 (HPCC, IGM, Free MEDLINE, MEDLINEplus,
  ClinicalTrials.gov)

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Improve access to health information resources to
help reduce and ultimately eliminate health
disparities -- 1999, NLM/NIH/DHHS Health
Disparities Policy Directive
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Outreach Initiatives in FY 2002 18.979M

• 773 Projects
• 88 With Health Disparities Focus
• 217 Exhibits
• 363 Training/Demos

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NLMs Comprehensive Outreach Strategy

• National Network of Libraries of Medicine
• Technical Information Infrastructure
• Community Capacity Development
• Health Consumer Education
• Awareness and Use
• Specialized Web Sites

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Create New Partnerships with the NN/LM

• 8 RMLs and 5,000 members
• Network as Field Force
• Attuned to local community needs (public
  libraries,CBOs)
• Help enable the other 6 approaches

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Enhance Technical Information Infrastructure

• Connections and Access Grants
• HIV/AIDS
• Tribal Connections I
• Malaria in Africa
• Disaster Management in Central America

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Strengthen Community Capacity Development

• HBCUs/TIOP
• Healthbuilders
• Colonias
• Tribal Connections II

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Support Health Consumer Education

• Public Libraries
• Information Rx

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Promote Awareness and Use

• Exhibits
• Meetings
• Special media events (Breath of Life)

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Develop Specialized Web Sites

• Tox Town
• Arctic Health Asian American Health
• Senior Health
• MEDLINEplus en Espanol

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Lessons Learned

• Empower Community Based Organizations
• Identify and Support Local Leadership
• Define (and revise) common goals together be
  flexible
• Site Visits Build Relationships and Understanding
• Time and Costs Frequently More Than Projected
• Train and Re-Train Stay Involved
• Right-Size Evaluations
• Long-Term Sustainability An Issue
• ICT Availability ? Use