Consumer Health Information for Rural Communities

Abstract

Rural communities experience health disparities that are exacerbated by barriers to reliable health information. This column recommends resources and strategies to increase the accessibility, awareness, and use of authoritative health information for individuals residing in rural areas and for organizations serving rural populations. Several health information needs assessment tools, community outreach materials, and consumer health websites are highlighted, including the Rural Health Information Hub, Cultivate Safety, and the Rural Community Toolbox.

Keywords:

• Consumer health information
• internet
• rural health

Additional information

Funding

This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, under [Grant Number UG4LM012340] with the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Developed resources reported in this publication are supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012340. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Notes on contributors

Jane Morgan-Daniel

Jane Morgan-Daniel ([email protected]) is Community Engagement & Health Literacy Liaison Librarian, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, Communicore Building, SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0206, USA.

Margaret Ansell

Margaret Ansell ([email protected]), is Nursing & Consumer Health Liaison Librarian, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, Communicore Building, SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida, 32610-0206, USA.

Lauren E. Adkins

Lauren E. Adkins ([email protected]) is Pharmacy Liaison Librarian, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, Communicore Building, SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida, 32610-0206, USA.