An Intro to Health Information Resources for Teens Christian Minter, MLIS National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region

Objectives  Define health information literacy  Understand the role of NLM and NN/LM within a health information context  List teen appropriate health information resources from NLM and other organizations to use in your programming  Identify at least 2 health information careers and resources about health-related professions

Health Information Literacy Defined

What is Health Information Literacy? Health Literacy and Health Information Literacy What is the difference?

Health Literacy is… “The degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions.” Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, Title V What is Health Information Literacy?

Health information literacy is the ability to:  identify a health information need  access, find, or obtain that information  understand and use that information to make good health decisions Medical Library Association

Teens & Health Information Teens’ top 5 sources of health information: 1. Parents 2.Health classes in school 3. Doctors/Nurses 4. Internet 5. Books Teens, Health and Technology Study 2015

Teens & Health Information  84% of teens use the internet for health information  32% changed their behavior based on information found online  58% start with a Google search  Half of those who use search engines just click the first link in results Teens, Health and Technology Study 2015

NLM and NNLM

National Library of Medicine Established in 1836 One of the institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) World’s largest biomedical library Produces free, authoritative electronic health information resources 130+ health information databases URLURL for NLM

National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM)  Nation-wide program coordinated by the National Library of Medicine  Established in the National Library of Medicine Act (1965)  Core component of NLM outreach  8 Regional Offices Mission: Provide health professionals and the general public with equal access to health information URLURL for NN/LM

Support from Your Regional Medical Library

NLM Resources

MedlinePlus connects you to many trustworthy health resources!

MedlinePlus Teen Health Topics  Alcohol and Youth  Birth Control or Contraception  Drugs and Young People  Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Health  HIV/AIDS  Menstruation  Smoking and Youh  Teen Development  Teen Health  Teen Mental Health  Teen Pregnancy  Teen Sexual Health  Teen Violence and more…

MedlinePlus Videos & Tools

Answers questions such as:  What’s under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room?  Do these household products pose a potential health risk to you and your family?  What are the chemical ingredients and their percentages in specific brands?  Which products contain specific chemical ingredients?

Environmental Health Animations Silent, but Leadly: Toxicity of Lead Silent, but Leadly: Toxicity of Lead Zest for Pests Desalination: A Solution for Our Water Needs Mercury and Our Health Something in the Air: Particulate Matter and Your Health

NLM Games Available in the Apple Store: Base Chase Bohr Thru Run4Green TOXinvaders

Health Career Resources

Medical Librarians – What do they do?  Expert literature searches  Deliver health information to patients  Collaborate in research with faculty/health professionals  Round with physicians  Serve on hospital committees (patient education, patient safety, quality control)  Teach or consult on use of information/data resources and tools  Community outreach  Manage library spaces and collections  Scholarly communications (publishing & copyright) Health Information Careers: Library & Information Science

Medical Librarians – Where can I find them?  Hospitals  Academic medical centers  Nonprofit organizations  Federal agencies  Public health departments  Military  Public libraries  Etc.

Medical Librarians – What are the requirements?  Bachelor’s degree in subject of your choice (science or health-related is a plus!)  Master’s degree in Library Science  Experience is preferred: Paraprofessional work, internships, post-graduate residencies and fellowships, etc.  Salary: Starting salary $40,000 - $50,000. Varies depending on location, years of experience, industry, etc.  More info: Medical Library Association – “Explore a Career” page.“Explore a Career” Health Information Careers: Library & Information Science

Health Information Careers: Health Informatics Health Informatics Professionals – What do they do?  Design and develop electronic information systems, software, and processes (electronic medical records, clinical decision support, biosurveillance, laboratory reporting, etc.)  Solve problems related to the efficiency, effectiveness, and interoperability of systems and software  Assess emerging technologies for applications to healthcare  Stay up-to-date on laws related to storing and sharing medical information  Train staff on the use of new technology and systems  Usually have a specialty domain: medical informatics, nursing informatics, public health informatics, applied informatics

Health Information Careers: Health Informatics Health Informatics Professionals – Where can I find them?  Healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics)  Medical software companies  Health insurance companies  Public health organizations  Research labs  Universities  Pharmaceutical companies  Etc.

Health Information Careers: Health Informatics Health Informatics Professionals – What are the requirements?  Bachelors degree in computer science, life science, or nursing is a plus  Master’s degree or graduate certificate in Informatics  Experience with computer science or the healthcare field is preferred. Informatics degrees often include a practicum or internship.  Salary: Starting salary $40,000 - $50,000. Varies depending on location, years of experience, industry, etc.  More info: American Health Information Management Association “Health Information 101”Health Information 101

Health Information Careers: Health Information Management Health Informatics falls under the field of Health Information Management. This field focuses on acquiring, storing, analyzing, protecting, and sharing digital and traditional medical information that is important to patient care, clinical research, or public health. Other career opportunities include:  Health Information Manager  Health Information Technician  Medical Coder

Health Career Videos

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Contact Us

Contact Your Regional Medical Library  Colorado: MidContinental RML,  Connecticut: New England RML,  Massachusetts: New England RML,  Montana: Pacific Northwest RML,  New York: Middle Atlantic RML, For other regions, visit

Contact Me Christian Minter Nebraska/Education Coordinator National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region 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 Contract No. HHS-N C with the University of Utah Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library.

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