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Libraries advancing health equity:a literature review. REFERENCE SERVICES REVIEW 2023. [DOI: 10.1108/rsr-09-2022-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PurposeProgress toward health equity is necessary to reduce health disparities, and health literacy is key to achieving this goal. Because libraries provide access to knowledge and insights about their communities, they are effective partners in advancing health equity and implementing programs to reduce health disparities. A literature review on library programs and activities that focus on promoting health equity was conducted.Design/methodology/approachA literature review on library programs and activities concerning health equity and social determinants of health was conducted. Relevant literature was identified from searches of databases, library publications and grey literature.FindingsThe authors found 224 eligible sources and many types of libraries advancing health equity. Libraries frame their role in advancing health equity through external programs in three ways: (1) providing access to high-quality health information, (2) delivering health literacy training and resources and (3) connecting their communities with community health services. Libraries also advance health equity by focusing on internal library operations and providing research services focused on cultural humility and competence as they apply to health care.Originality/valueThis literature review will help the National Library of Medicine (NLM) develop a strategy to support libraries advancing health equity through information made available by programs and activities of NLM and the Network of the National Library of Medicine.
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Powell TW, Smith BD, Offiong A, Lewis Q, Kachingwe O, LoVette A, Hwang A. Public Librarians: Partners in Adolescent Health Promotion. PUBLIC LIBRARY QUARTERLY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/01616846.2022.2107349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Terrinieka W. Powell
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bianca D. Smith
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Asari Offiong
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Quiana Lewis
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Olivia Kachingwe
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ashleigh LoVette
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Andrea Hwang
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Pandolfelli G, Koos JA, Benz Scott L. An analysis of ALA-accredited MLS curricula indicates deficiencies in the initial training provided for public librarians. Health Info Libr J 2022; 39:268-283. [PMID: 35705196 DOI: 10.1111/hir.12443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public librarians often address patron inquiries regarding health concerns. However, prior research indicates that public librarians may be unprepared to meet the health information requests of patrons. OBJECTIVE This study examined the availability of health-themed courses in American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master of Library and Information Studies/Science (MLIS) programs. METHODS Accredited MLIS programs were identified using the ALA directory. Curricula were reviewed for health content and public librarianship, children's, and young adult concentrations. Descriptive and bivariate analyses assessed the percent of programs that offered various health-related course content and the differences in availability of such content. RESULTS Of the 59 accredited MLIS programs, only 35 (59.32%) listed at least one health elective and none listed a required health course. No MLIS programs that had a public library concentration (n = 21) listed a required or elective health course, two programs with a children's concentration (n = 25) listed health course electives, and one program with a young adult concentration (n = 25) listed a health course elective. CONCLUSION ALA-accredited MLIS programs should consider increasing their offerings or requiring health-related courses to improve the training of public librarians to meet the health information needs of communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica A Koos
- Health Sciences Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Lisa Benz Scott
- Program in Public Health, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Drake B, James A, Miller H, Anandarajah A, Davis KL, Jackson S, Colditz GA, Thompson VS. Strategies to Achieve Breast Health Equity in the St. Louis Region and Beyond over 15+ Years. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2550. [PMID: 35626157 PMCID: PMC9140077 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Community-based participatory strategies are a promising approach to addressing disparities in community health outcomes. This paper details the efforts of Siteman Cancer Center to achieve breast health equity over the past 15+ years. We begin by describing the activities and successes arising from our breast health community partnerships including identifying priorities, developing recommendations, and implementing patient navigation services to advance breast health. This system-wide coordinated navigation approach that includes primary and specialty care providers helped to increase potential impact on reducing breast health disparities by expediting care, increasing care efficiency, and standardizing referral procedures across systems for all women including those who are uninsured and underinsured. We also discuss a mobile mammography unit that has been deployed to serve women living in both urban and rural regions. The van reached a particularly vulnerable population that was mostly poor, uninsured, and with limited educational backgrounds regardless of their zip code of service. This work shows that collaborations between academic and community partners have resulted in decreased late stage at diagnosis and improved access to mammography. Furthermore, we offer lessons learned and recommendations that may be applicable to other communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Drake
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (B.D.); (A.J.); (A.A.); (K.D.); (S.J.)
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Aimee James
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (B.D.); (A.J.); (A.A.); (K.D.); (S.J.)
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Heidi Miller
- St. Louis Integrated Health Network, St. Louis, MO 63118, USA;
| | - Akila Anandarajah
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (B.D.); (A.J.); (A.A.); (K.D.); (S.J.)
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Kia L. Davis
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (B.D.); (A.J.); (A.A.); (K.D.); (S.J.)
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | | | - Graham A Colditz
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (B.D.); (A.J.); (A.A.); (K.D.); (S.J.)
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Vetta Sanders Thompson
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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Malone T, Clifton S. Using focus groups to evaluate a multiyear consumer health outreach collaboration. J Med Libr Assoc 2021; 109:575-582. [PMID: 34858086 PMCID: PMC8608199 DOI: 10.5195/jmla.2021.987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Academic health sciences librarians sought to evaluate the efficacy and future of the Health Information Specialists Program, a five-year consumer health information outreach collaboration with public libraries across the state. METHODS Five focus groups were held with participants from all five years of the program. Thirty-four participants from the program attended. Facilitators used structured interview guides consisting of eleven questions regarding the impact of the collaboration on participants' abilities to connect themselves or others to health information; the usefulness of materials or knowledge gained and its applications; any consumer health outreach projects that arose from the program; and suggestions for future topics, formats, or modifications. Data was hand-coded and analyzed using the framework analysis methodology for qualitative research. RESULTS Participants reported feeling improved confidence and comfort in providing health information services to their patrons. Numerous instances of knowledge transfer-in their personal lives, with their colleagues, and for their patrons-were described. Participants reported improved abilities to both find and evaluate consumer health information, and many adapted class materials for their own programming or teaching. Suggestions were provided for future class topics as well as a program website. CONCLUSION Based on data from the five focus groups, the Health Information Specialists Program has positively impacted participants in a number of ways. Primary among these were self-reported improvement in both health information retrieval skills and the ability to evaluate the reliability of health information online, as well as in the confidence to help patrons with their health information needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Malone
- , Assistant Professor and Head of History of Medicine & Serials, Robert M. Bird Library, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Shari Clifton
- , Professor, Associate Director, and Head of Reference & Instructional Services, Robert M. Bird Library, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
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Philbin MM, Parker CM, Flaherty MG, Hirsch JS. Public Libraries: A Community-Level Resource to Advance Population Health. J Community Health 2020; 44:192-199. [PMID: 29995303 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-018-0547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Policy makers and public health practitioners rarely consider public libraries to be part of the health system, even though they possess several characteristics that suggest unrealized potential to advance population health. This scoping review uses an adapted social determinants framework to categorize current health-related work conducted by public libraries in the United States and to discuss libraries' potential as 'meso-level' community resources to improve population health. Our discussion of libraries contributes to scholarship on place-based health disparities, by emphasizing the potential impact of institutions that are modifiable through social policy-e.g., parks, community centers, schools-and which have a conceptually clear or empirically documented relationship to health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan M Philbin
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Caroline M Parker
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Mary Grace Flaherty
- School of Information & Library Science at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer S Hirsch
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Koos JA, Saragossi J, Stevens GA, Filosa S. A partnership between academic and public librarians: "What the Health" workshop series. J Med Libr Assoc 2019; 107:232-237. [PMID: 31019392 PMCID: PMC6466498 DOI: 10.5195/jmla.2019.564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Public librarians are in a unique position to assist the general public with health information inquiries. However, public librarians might not have the training, detailed knowledge, and confidence to provide high-quality health information. Case Presentation The authors created and delivered three workshops to public librarians in Suffolk County, New York, highlighting several National Library of Medicine resources. Each workshop focused on a different topic: general consumer health resources, genetics health resources, and environmental/toxicology resources. At the end of each workshop, participants were asked to complete the Training Session Evaluation form provided by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM). All participants reported that they learned a new skill or about a new tool, that their ability to locate online health information improved, and that they planned to use the knowledge they gained in the future. Online tutorials covering the major resources from each workshop were created and made accessible to the public on several organizations' websites. Virtual reference services were initiated for public librarians who need further assistance with these resources and will continue to be provided on an ongoing basis. Financial support for the equipment and software utilized in each of these tasks was awarded by NNLM. Conclusions Based on attendance and participant feedback, this model of health information outreach appears to have been successful in furthering the educational needs of public librarians and may be useful to others in creating a similar program in their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Koos
- Health Sciences Librarian, Health Sciences Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY,
| | - Jamie Saragossi
- Head, Health Sciences Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY,
| | - Gregg A Stevens
- Health Sciences Librarian, Health Sciences Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY,
| | - Salvatore Filosa
- Marketing and Outreach Librarian, Port Jefferson Free Library, Port Jefferson, NY,
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Kuntz GM, Schaefer N, Norton HF, Tennant MR. HIV/AIDS Outreach: Curriculum Development and Skills Training to Health and Information Professionals. Med Ref Serv Q 2018; 37:60-73. [PMID: 29327981 DOI: 10.1080/02763869.2018.1404389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
With funding from the National Library of Medicine HIV/AIDS Community Information Outreach Program (ACIOP), librarians at the University of Florida Health Sciences Libraries partnered with university and community groups to facilitate collaboration, develop new information resources, develop information-seeking skills, and raise general awareness surrounding HIV/AIDS risks, prevention, and treatment. This article describes the skills development elements of the project, including development and implementation of an HIV/AIDS information resource curriculum for health care providers, social services professionals, and public librarians within the project's partner organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen M Kuntz
- a Borland Health Sciences Library , University of Florida-Jacksonville , Jacksonville , Florida , USA
| | - Nancy Schaefer
- b University of Florida Health Science Center Library , Gainesville , Florida , USA
| | - Hannah F Norton
- b University of Florida Health Science Center Library , Gainesville , Florida , USA
| | - Michele R Tennant
- b University of Florida Health Science Center Library , Gainesville , Florida , USA
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Lenstra N. The Experiences of Public Library Staff Developing Programs with Physical Activities: An Exploratory Study in North Carolina. LIBRARY QUARTERLY 2018. [DOI: 10.1086/696580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Rubenstein EL. “I Want to Provide Patrons with Good Information”: Public Library Staff as Health Information Facilitators. LIBRARY QUARTERLY 2018. [DOI: 10.1086/696579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Lenstra N. Yoga at the Public Library: An Exploratory Survey of Canadian and American Librarians. JOURNAL OF LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/01930826.2017.1360121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Noah Lenstra
- Assistant Professor of Library and Information Studies, School of Education, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Lenstra
- University of North Carolina–Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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