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Asking Good Questions: Developing Skilled Health Information Consumers

Roles and Responsibilities of Libraries in Increasing Consumer Health Literacy and Reducing Health Disparities

ISBN: 978-1-83909-341-8, eISBN: 978-1-83909-340-1

Publication date: 30 November 2020

Abstract

Research finds that various demographic factors, such as race, gender, education, and income, are associated with disparate health outcomes. Health literacy is an asset that can help consumers exert greater control over their health. The rapidly evolving information landscape can be overwhelming for consumers seeking health information. Users may not be aware of the influence of power, prestige, and money in funding, designing, creating, and disseminating information to consumers. Information professionals have an important role to play in providing health information to their users. Proponents of critical information literacy argue that librarianship must evolve beyond supporting the status quo and assist users in understanding the political and commercial forces that can shape the options available to users. Health-literate individuals can also be empowered to challenge the social determinants of health and support policies that would lead to more significant health equity for the whole of society.

This study sought to explore the needs and challenges of public libraries in meeting their users’ health information needs. The study also investigated participants’ perceptions regarding a public library workshop for consumers on the critical evaluation of health information. The study found that while attendance was low, the attendees rated the workshop positively.

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Citation

Perry, H.B. (2020), "Asking Good Questions: Developing Skilled Health Information Consumers", Jean, B.S., Jindal, G., Liao, Y. and Jaeger, P.T. (Ed.) Roles and Responsibilities of Libraries in Increasing Consumer Health Literacy and Reducing Health Disparities (Advances in Librarianship, Vol. 47), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 119-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0065-283020200000047006

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

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