Outreach: Improving Health Awareness Through Access to Quality Health Information

This request seeks to fund the purchase and support of 20 iPads loaded with NLM consumer health information for 88 and 86. This proposed project is a partnership between the Charlevoix Public Library and the Munson Charlevoix Hospital Education Department. The iPads will be placed in the Library, the Hospital Wellness Workshop facility, in selected physicians' and school nurse offices and used in health clinics for 109s and community senior events. The Health Librarian will train the health professionals to use the iPads and review specific NLM databases. The information will be reviewed semi-annually to ensure that the resources are up to date. The 95 counties of Antrim and Charlevoix counties which constitutes the Library and Hospital's patron base, have many health challenges associated with obesity, diabetes and alcoholism. Access to mental health professionals and specialists is scarce. These chronic health issues combined with a general population that has limited computer skills, makes this a ideal environment to provide NLM health information for 88 and 86 on user-friendly iPads. The mission of the Charlevoix Public Library is to connect the community to resources that educate, enrich and empower. The Library has been a partner with the Munson Charlevoix Hospital Wellness Workshop since inception, providing community health information based on NLM resources. The Wellness Workshop supports the Hospitals' mission to improve the health and wellness of the community through health education, nutrition classes and health screenings.