“Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine” is now available online! View “Harry Potter’s World” at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/harrypottersworld. The banner show, which will travel to libraries around the country through the American Library Association starting in fall 2009, explores the plants, animals, and magic featured in the Harry Potter book series and their roots in Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science.  It incorporates the works of several fifteenth- and sixteenth-century thinkers mentioned in the Harry Potter book series and looks at topics such as alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy, as well as the ethical issues faced by both the fictitious characters from the novels and the historical figures who influenced them. The website for “Harry Potter’s World” includes the full exhibition text, middle/high school lesson plans, and a higher education module for professors and students.

 Visit the American Library Association’s request for proposals for libraries interested in hosting the traveling banner exhibition at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/programming/potter/index.cfm.

Please refer any questions about “Harry Potter’s World” to nlmExhibition@mail.nih.gov.

Check out the April issue of NIH News in Health, the monthly newsletter bringing you practical health news and tips based on the latest NIH research. And consider joining us on Facebook, where you can write on our wall to suggest topics you’d like us to cover, or start a discussion about how you use the newsletter.  Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/NIH-News-in-Health/45385547967 and become a fan. In this edition:

Get Moving and Stay Healthy
Make Physical Activity Part of Your Life
People from all walks of life find it difficult to get enough exercise. But research shows that all Americans need physical activity for good health. New government guidelines can help you get started and stay active.
full story

   

Remember To Take Your Pills?
Jog Your Memory of What To Take and When
We forget things every day—people’s names, our keys or whether we locked the front door. But when it comes to taking your medicines, don’t let your memory fail you.
full story

Health Capsules:

• Study Questions Prostate Cancer Test
• Vitamin C May Ward Off Gout
• Featured Web Site: Rethinking Drinking

Click here to download a PDF version for printing.

Please pass the word on to your colleagues about NIH News in Health.  We are happy to send a limited number of print copies free of charge for display in offices, libraries or clinics.  Just email us or call 301-435-7489 for more information.

Harrison Wein, Ph.D., Writer/Editor
National Institutes of Health
Office of the Director, Office of Communications and Public Liaison
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B64A, MSC 2094
Bethesda, MD 20892-2094
Phone:  301-435-7489
Fax:  301-480-4026
E-mail:  weinh@od.nih.gov

The NIH News in Health: http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/

NIH Research Matters (eColumn): http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters

Take this brief quiz to see how much you really know about all the latest changes to MedlinePlus.gov.

a) Collections break the results into subsets from the major areas within MedlinePlus

b) Clusters are grouping of items with similar concepts found within the text

c) Collections are groupings of items with similar concepts found within the text

d) Clusters break the results into subsets from the major areas within MedlinePlus

e) A and B

2) Which section on MedlinePlus.gov has a new look?

a) Interactive tutorials

b) Encyclopedia

c) Dictionary

d) Surgery Videos

3) How many days are news items archived for?

a) 90 in English and Spanish

b) 90 in English / 30 in Spanish

c) 30 in English / 90 in Spanish

d) 30 in English and Spanish

4) Which part of MedlinePlus is now also available in Spanish?

a) Directories

b) MedlinePlus Magazine

c) Go Local

5) What is RHIN and where will you find it on MedlinePlus?

a) Refugee Health Information Network; a multilingual resource on the Multiple Languages page

b) Resources for Health Information Network; on the health topics page

c) Roundtable on Health Interests of the Nation; on the health topics page

6) Which of the following search strategies are possible with the MedlinePlus search box?

a) Phrase searching, example “genetic brain disorders”

b) Wildcards, example leuko*

c) Boolean searching with OR, NOT

d) All of the above

7) Is it possible to restrict a search within MedlinePlus to a specific web site?

a) Yes

b) No

ANSWERS (in bold)

1) Which statements below are true?

a) Collections break the results into subsets from the major areas within MedlinePlus

b) Clusters are grouping of items with similar concepts found within the text

c) Collections are groupings of items with similar concepts found within the text

d) Clusters break the results into subsets from the major areas within MedlinePlus

e) A and B

2) Which section on MedlinePlus has a new look?

a) Interactive tutorials

b) Encyclopedia

c) Dictionary

d) Surgery Videos

3) How many days are news items archived for?

a) 90 in English and Spanish

b) 90 in English / 30 in Spanish

c) 30 in English / 90 in Spanish

d) 30 in English and Spanish

4) Which part of MedlinePlus is now also available in Spanish?

a) Directories

b) MedlinePlus Magazine

c) Go Local

5) What is RHIN and where will you find it on MedlinePlus?

a) Refugee Health Information Network; a multilingual resource on the Multiple Languages page

b) Resources for Health Information Network; on the health topics page

c) Roundtable on Health Interests of the Nation; on the health topics page

6) Which of the following search strategies are possible with the MedlinePlus search box?

a) Phrase searching, example “genetic brain disorders”

b) Wildcards, example leuko*

c) Boolean searching with OR, NOT

d) All of the above

7) Is it possible to restrict a search within MedlinePlus to a specific web site?

a) Yes; example breast cancer site: cancer.gov

b) No

MedlinePlus announces a Medical Words Tutorial.  This outstanding tutorial aims to help consumers learn about basic medical terminology.  Increased knowledge leads to better health outcomes.  The tutorial is interactive and includes quizzes to confirm understanding of the words.  Test your medical terminology knowledge and give this tutorial a try!  Be sure to spread the word about this new resource to your friends, family and, of course, library users.

Announcing, the pilot issue of NIH MedlinePlus Salud!

NIH MedlinePlus Salud features a bilingual format with a PDF featuring one side Spanish / the other English.

The Friends of the National Library of Medicine are partnering with the National Alliance on Hispanic Health to publish this magazine. The goal is to publish at least two issues a year.  Order your free copy of NIH MedlinePlus Salud.

Also, check out the latest MedlinePlus Magazine featuring Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz.

The NN/LM-New England Region’s online learning program on Health Information Outreach and Community Engagement:  Lessons Learned from the Experts is full.  We are pleased with the overwhelming enthusiasm for the program.  Due to a large waiting list, the program will be recorded for later viewing.  The NER plans to send the link for the recording directly to participants on the waiting list as well as post it on our Connecting with the NER site.  Unfortunately, MLA CE units will not be awarded for viewing the recording of the program.

The Maternal and Child Health Library at Georgetown University in collaboration with the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) released a new edition of the knowledge path about oral health for infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant women.   Presented in time for Children’s Dental Health Month in February, this electronic guide points to resources that analyze data, describe effective programs, and report on policy and research aimed at improving access to and the quality of oral health care. The knowledge path contains sections with resources for professionals, resources for consumers, and resources on specific aspects of oral health. Topics include child care and Head Start, dental sealants, early childhood caries, fluoride varnish, K-12 education, pregnancy, school-based care, school evaluation mandates, and special health care needs. The knowledge path is available at http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_oralhealth.html. Knowledge paths on other topics are available at

Susan Brune Lorenzo, MLS
E-mail: smblorenzo@gmail.com
Maternal and Child Health Library
National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health at Georgetown University
Web site: http://mchlibrary.info

Health Information Outreach and Community Engagement: 

Lessons Learned from the Experts

Thursday, February 12, 2009 / 2 – 3:30 PM

Engaging your community with health information outreach projects is rewarding, meaningful work. Come learn from the experiences of experts in health information outreach and community engagement. Each speaker has led a successful health information outreach subcontract from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine/ New England Region. The program is intended for anyone interested in pursuing funding or interested in learning more about how to engage the local community in effective health information outreach.

*Earn 1.5 Medical Library Association CE units

The Experts:

Beth Schneider, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Project: Access to Resources for Community Health (ARCH) / Head Start CAPIC Collaboration

Marianne Burke, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Project: Connecting Patients, Providers, and the Community with Quality Health Information Outreach

Anne Conner, Littleton Regional Hospital, Littleton, NH
Project: Northern New Hampshire Health Information Outreach

Participants will:

a)      Learn about three successful health information outreach projects

b)      Learn how to plan and implement a successful health information outreach project

c)       Know about the process of applying for funding from the NN/LM

d)      Be aware of the rewards and challenges of conducting a health information outreach project

e)      Gain knowledge about project evaluation

Registration:

Registration is free and on a first come, first serve basis.  Session will be limited to fifty participants.

To register, please contact Martha Pearson at martha.pearson@umassmed.edu.

In your email please include: 

• Name
• Institution / address with zip code / phone / e-mail
• Name of the program (Health Information Outreach and Community Engagement:  Lessons Learned from the Experts). 

Details of how to access the teleconference and Adobe Connect session will be forwarded at registration.

Announcing a collaborative space for Native Health Information Outreach!

Share your experiences in:

Outreach Connections:  Native Health Information Wiki

This space is intended:

• for those who work with health care providers serving Native peoples (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians).
• for those who work with Native health information consumers.
• to improve health information access for Native peoples.
• to exchange information from health information promotion and training experiences.
• to complement sites already focused on health information for Native peoples.

Librarians, patient educators, and others who provide health information to Native peoples and their caregivers are encouraged to contribute your projects to the wiki. You can include outreach projects, education and training projects, resources you’ve developed, and descriptions of research you’ve done. Share information about technology you’ve used, observations you’ve made, and advice you have for others who would like to do something similar. If you are willing to share training/teaching materials or other related materials under the Creative Commons non-commercial share-alike license, please post them. All material submitted to this site is shared under the Creative Commons non-commercial share-alike license so that you can borrow and adapt the resources for your own use.

By Caroline Marshall

Horblit Health Sciences Library

Danbury Hospital, Danbury CT

When I took on the role of consumer health librarian here at the hospital two years ago, I learned pretty soon that I had to be creative in how I went about promoting consumer health information. The reason, I had little or no budget!! Here are some ideas based on what I have done and what I plan to do to promote consumer health outreach.

I started off by visiting local public libraries and offered myself and my library as a resource for questions that they did not have the resources to answer. I let them know that they could refer patrons to me either by phone or in person. Additionally when I do projects such as the Sun Safety competition I do each year I send brochures, handouts and posters to the libraries so that they can display them for their patrons. I am working closely with a public library in NY State that contacted us regarding setting up a consumer health collection. In addition to providing collection advice I have put them in touch with our Community Relations department to help them set up health talks at the library with our physicians.

Another area to contact is the local high schools. For example, one of the nearby high schools has a multinational population. I offered to provide foreign language health resources and provided them with web links for their website. Additionally I arranged for the school’s Careers Club to visit and learn about several departments in the hospital. They were all very impressed by the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).

Don’t forget your local Community Organizations! I got in touch with the local Adult Education ESL coordinator and she very kindly faxed me a list of community organizations. I have visited the Senior Center and done a short presentation on MedlinePlus The list of organizations I visited is long, including a MOM’s Group, The Hispanic Center, and Women’s Center etc. Support Groups are another area for outreach. For example, in my area there is a Grandparents Support Group for grandparents raising their grandchildren. I will offer to do a presentation on MedlinePlus and NIH Senior Health. There is also a Low Vision Support group I was planning on visiting, to introduce them to audio health materials such as the MedlinePlus Tutorials and the Healthy Roads Media site that includes audio formats for a wide range of health topics. Additionally there is a Diabetes and Cancer support group. Your local Town Hall should be able to give you a list of support groups in your area.

Many communities have a Visiting Nurse Association and a Parish Nurse. Your local church should be able to put you in touch with your Parish Nurse and you could offer to do something at their next area meeting. They will probably be involved in local health fairs so you could offer to provide consumer health information on popular health topics. Always try to include some easy to read health information and handouts in large print. Find out if there is a particular minority group or groups in that area and be sure to include some information in that particular language.

Check out your local community college or university. They may have a health science course; my local university has a Health Promotion and Exercise Science Department which can lead to preparation as a community health educator or a school health educator. The courses cover consumer health, mental health, and CAM just to name a few. I agreed to do a presentation to a class in January on Health Literacy, showing the students resources for writing and developing easy to read health materials. MedlinePlus has a good section on Health Literacy and the CDC has a fairly comprehensive guide developing materials called Simply Put.

Work with a school or a class in school on a project. For example, if you support a project on Sun Safety you can get great posters from the American College of Dermatology which actually show the sun damage you cannot see with the naked eye. If you choose a class with younger children you could do an art project on ways to stay safe in the sun. The children in the lower grades may be more receptive to that type of project rather than the higher grades. You could also include a quiz and a word search and if you know any dermatologists or plastic surgeons you might be able to get some free samples of sun cream to hand out. The EPA has a SUNWISE Program for schools and communities with resources for educators http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/ this might be a good thing to introduce to local schools.

Another project which I want to do is work with a public library or an Adult Education Center to offer a class on how to find health information on the web.

I have made some post cards with my library’s name and that we can provide health information free of charge to be displayed at local health fairs. They say Be Informed; Horblit Health Sciences Library at Danbury Hospital provides health information free of charge to the public. Call or visit us etc. I make sure the Community Relations Department has a good stock and leave some in the lobby of the hospital. I have also given some to a local doctor’s office as a pilot study to see if their patients were interested in following up their visits with further information.

If you do have a Community Relations Department at your hospital it is a good idea to get to know them. I provide information for the health fairs they attend to promote the hospital. In addition they act as a Speaker’s Bureau providing physicians to speak at different health events and of course they like to have handouts. They have also invited me to several community events and I have managed to do some consumer outreach that way.

I always do my research first, checking out the web pages of the organizations I plan to visit, seeing where I can fit in. I have also set up a spreadsheet; I enter the month and who I met, phone number etc, what I gave them and whether it was an introductory meeting or a follow up. This way I can keep track of what I sent and who everyone is. It is also a good way of keeping stats !

Consumer Health Outreach is an ongoing project, you have to get yourself out there again and again. I have only had one, touch wood, bad experience when a school library I approached wouldn’t even talk to me. But, in general I have had good experiences and met some great people. One thing I particularly like to do is to invite the libraries I have worked with to come and visit my library so they can see where they are referring people. It also helps me to network for future collaborations. As I said it is an on going project but you just have to keep at it and enjoy yourself along the way.