While mass media are the public's primary source of health and medical information, the lessons regarding consumer behaviors from mass communication and health communication research have not been integrated routinely into consumer health informatics evaluation.

Health Communication Evaluation Research (HCER) seeks to apply mass media research towards consumer health informatics Web sites, information, and other resources. The integration of mass communication and health communication theory may help to improve consumer health information readability and suitability as well as advance the evaluation of consumer informatics Web sites (e.g., Genetics Home Reference, ClinicalTrials.gov).

• Explore how web-based health education materials impact consumer health attitudes and outcomes
• Examine how consumers build meaning from the mass media's depiction of health topics and issues
• Improve health outcomes for the public