# Presentation: 333827

## Denver Public Library & Denver Healthy People 2010 Initiative

- “Access to Electronic Health Information for Denver”
- A grant sponsored by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine

## Project History

- DPL’s health print materials enhanced – circa 2000
- Outreach efforts minimally successful
- NNLM – interest in online access and especially partnerships
- Stephanie Weldon’s referral...
- Elaine met Stacey on Sept 5, 2002
- Grant submitted Oct. 1, 2002!!

## Project Components

- Whittier Community Assessment –
- Key Informant Interviews
- Focus Groups
- Web Sites Content Development
- Beta Testing
- Launch
- Community Outreach & Training

## Slide 4

## Initial Assessment of Health Concerns for Whittier

- Among both African American and Hispanic audiences, the following health concerns are consistently cited:
- Cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, well-child care issues, complementary and alternative medicine, women’s health, sexuality, diet and nutrition.
- Other concerns, often cited as social issues, impact health, including air and water pollution (ex. lead exposure), violence, teen pregnancy, gangs, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and immunizations.

## DPL Health & Medicine Web Page

- _[www.denverlibrary.org/research/health/](http://www.denverlibrary.org/research/health/)_

## DPL Salud y Medicina Page

- _[http://espanol.denverlibrary.org/health/](http://espanol.denverlibrary.org/health/)__ _

## DPL Health & Medicine Site

**www.denverlibrary/research/health/**

## DPL Health & Medicine Site

**www.denverlibrary/research/health/**

## DPL Health & Medicine Site

**www.denverlibrary/research/health/**

## DPL Salud y Medicina Page

- _[http://espanol.denverlibrary.org/health/](http://espanol.denverlibrary.org/health/)__ _

## Resources of Special Interest for Community Health Leaders

- DPL Government Documents
- DPL Grant Writing Resources
- MedlinePlus
- PubMed
- TOXNET
- PhPartners

- Subscription Databases including:
- 		Health & Wellness 	Resource Center
- 		Statistical Universe
- 		And lots more!

## Denver Healthy People 2010

_**http://denvergov.org/hp2010**_

## Denver Healthy People 2010 Web Site

**Provides information and data, best practices, coalition information, and more!**
**The local resource for Denver professionals working to improve individual and community health.**

## Two New Health Web Sites 

_**Denver Public Library**_
**Designed with community input.**
**Resources for all skill levels of Internet users.**
**English & Spanish versions.**

_**Denver Healthy People 2010**_
- The local resource for Denver professionals in community health.
- Information, data, best practices, coalition members and more!

## Slide 16

## Partnership Provided...

- effective strategy
- expertise and guidance
- importance of public health & prevention of disease
- community action networks for promoting wellness and creating healthy communities
- connections with public health professionals and organizations serving the community
- "coconut wireless"

## Lessons Learned...

- Get acquainted before it’s grant time!!
- Get a good partner, but more importantly..
- BE a good partner!
- Anticipate different perspectives, jargon...
- Listen to understand THEM!
- Consider your public health department as a prospective partner!

## More lessons...

- Lead, but don’t try to be ‘the boss’!
- Support your team!
- Remember, people have lives!
- A good Health Educator can build a whole _lot_ of bridges!

## A few warnings...

- Know what you’re getting into!
- Creating a web site IS a LOT of work!
- Maintaining a web site is a lot of work, too!

- It can take _time_!
- Long hours in development...
- Months or years of consistent presence...
- You’re not just doing a task...
- You’re building relationships of trust in your community.

## Go For It!

- You’re doing it anyway, everyday!
- Many people are at beginner level!
- Sooner or later _everybody_ needs health information!
- Start where _you_ are!  Do what _you_ can!
- Build on what’s already available!
- Lean on your NLM Liaison!!!

## PUBLIC LIBRARIES!

- We’ve got what it takes!