Multilingual health information and literacy skills: The importance of Information access

Goal: The project goals are to improve health information literacy by increasing the ability of community members to find and use high-quality health information. We will increase awareness of health information resources.  Justification: The digital divide or digital inequality prevents many from participating in available online services, and to use information technologies. The situation became more difficult with the COVID-19 pandemic. It becomes increasingly important to develop health information literacy skills in times of COVID-19. In a multilingual and multicultural society, it is also essential to provide access to quality information developed by authorized sources, and to provide training to find information about health topics, wellness, and prevention. Health literacy includes offering health information that is language and culture appropriate.   Activities: We will offer training, workshops and other educational activities about basic health information literacy, general wellness, COVID-19, and HIV-AIDS prevention. The workshops will be offered in both online and in person modalities). The activities will be developed in English and Spanish, to reach a wider audience within the community.   We will develop educational materials (brochures, posters, and others) in English and Spanish, and eventually in other languages.  Audience: Community organizations, and the general public  We will request the adequate technology devices to facilitate and promote the activities.  The project will be marketed and promoted through a variety of platforms. We will develop and print flyers and brochures. We will promote the workshops and activities using the University libraries health sciences library, social networks, and informational boards. We will share the information gained with colleagues in the institution/RML, as required by the Request for Proposal. We will submit regular, interim, and final reports, as requested by the funding agency, and as stipulated in the Request for Proposal. A report and outcomes of this project will be shared in professional activities, and academic journals.  We will develop and update tools and research guides to provide accurate health information, including COVID-19 related content, in diverse languages. Our team is interdisciplinary. I am a University Libraries faculty member; the other team member is from the College of Nursing, and we will hire a student.