1. Advocating for Health at your Library

2. The Need for Help with Health
2nd most popular online search category (after community news and information)
59% of U.S. adults searched online for health information last year
> 1/3 have used the internet in an attempt to diagnose a medical condition
> ¼ of internet users who looked for health information online hit a paywall

3. The Need for Help with Health
Americans need accessible and authoritative help to:
Research symptoms and recognize when to seek expert care
Understand proper uses of prescription and non-prescription drugs
Maintain health through appropriate nutrition, personal care, and exercise
Identify local resources to address their health needs
This session is the result of a $100,000 grant that PLA received from Community Catalyst, a health care advocacy group, which was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Partners:
Feeding America
Black Women’s Health Initiative
Out 2 Enroll
National Association of Community Health Centers
American Association on Health and Disability
Unidos
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
NJ Citizen Action

4. The Need for Help with Health
Americans need accessible and authoritative help to:
Address the healthcare and wellness needs of others
Research medical provider and insurance options
Identify solutions to environmental and other communitywide concerns
Plan resources for future healthcare needs

5. Fake News & Misinformation
Why Libraries and Health?
Fake News & Misinformation

6. Why Libraries and Health?
Equity!

7. Why Libraries and Health?
Community
Health Needs!

8. Libraries Can Impact Health
Experience in developing literacy
Access to technology
Authoritative information
>70% of Americans believe libraries help people find health information
> 1/3 of library computers users (~28 million people) pursue information on health and wellness
1 in 5 libraries collaborate with health professionals on screenings

9. What do Libraries do? Health reference Health and wellness programming
Partnerships
Collection development
Staff training
Staff health
Digital literacy

10. Health Literacy
“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”

11. Health Literacy
Low Health Literacy (LHL) more than 90 million US adults have LHL:
Adults 65+ years of age
Racial and ethnic groups other than White
Recent refugees and immigrants
People with less than a high school degree or GED
People with incomes at or below the poverty level
Non-native speakers of English

12. Health Literacy LHL is associated with: Increased hospital use
Less screening for breast cancer
Lower immunization rates
Higher risk of mortality for seniors 

13. Libraries are doing a lot!
Access to authoritative information
Programming
One-on-one assistance
Fitness classes
Nutrition guidance
Social workers
Access
Programming
One-one-one health assistance
Fitness
Nutrition Guidance
Access to health databases  Health programming on aging, dementia, healthy lifestyles, cooking, mental health  Health screenings  Services and 1-on-1 counseling on Medicare, Rx drugs  Annual Summer Wellness Summit  Workshops on medical power of attorney  Positive Aging series  Local hospital partnership  Senior Expo  Health fairs  Blood drives  Brochure on local resources  Signs and displays to encourage physical activity, proper nutrition  Children’s garden  Rain barrels  Seed library  Zumba  Pilates  Yoga  Tai Chi  Health related exhibits  Staff wellness programs  Exercise equipment to loan  Staff Fitbit challenges  Staff laughter program  Staff CPR training  Programming for individuals with special needs  Physically active story times  Administering Narcan  Employing social workers in the library

14. [Insert your library’s health initiatives]
Insert your library logo

15. [Define your health advocacy goal for your library]

16. [Identify target audience(s)]
[Who do you need to reach and persuade in order to be successful with your health advocacy efforts?]

17. [Use library perception information and impact data]
[Gather evidence of what people think and feel about the library in terms of helping people achieve their health goals. Add evidence of how libraries improve their communities can help persuade and motivate audiences]

18. [Use library advocacy messaging]
[A core message is the message you want your target audience to remember above everything else, what you want your audience to do, why they should care.]

19. [Share your library story]
[Use facts and examples to strengthen your library story. Keep in mind that different stories appeal to different audiences. ]