The document summarizes a workshop on consumer health information. It discusses key topics covered in the workshop including consumer health reference resources, health literacy, evaluating credibility of health information, and ensuring health information is provided at an appropriate literacy level. The workshop is intended for those with little experience in consumer health information and aims to increase awareness of issues, skills, and resources in the area.

2. Consumer health information is simply health or medical information produced or intended for people who are not health professionals. 1 1 National Library of Medicine, “The Growing Need for Health Information” http://nnlm.gov/outreach/community/community.html 2 Gray, C. “Medical resources information for the consumer: Helping you make informed decisions.” C&RL News, December 2000. http://tinyurl.com/58e9y9 The rising cost of medical care, along with advances in medical technology, has made it increasingly important for consumers to be well informed about their medical choices. Access to current information also facilitates discussion between physician and patient while making decisions concerning treatment options. 2

7. Take 2 to explore

9. Health Literacy: “the ability for patients and health care consumers to read, understand, and apply medical information in a meaningful way” (Coulter 1999). Just 12 percent of America's 228 million adults have the skills to manage their own health care proficiently, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research (AHRQ). Consumer Health Basics 7: Health Literacy

11. Credibility = Transparency Be real Know your limits Emphasize quality criteria

13. Consumer Health Basics 1 Reference interview 2 Establishing credibility 3 The information 4 Resources 5 Health information … evaluation 6 Health information … provision guidelines 7 Health information literacy Touch the number to get a copy of the document. Each of these (and more) is also available on the SL Health Librarians Google group site.