Utilizing Interactive Health Communication in Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Children and Youth

Year Awarded: 2000
Project Leaders:
Mark Notman, College of Osteopathic Medicine; Rebecca Collins Henry, College of Human Medicine; Charles Maynard, Center for Advancement of Community Health, Michigan Public Health Institute; Robert Glandon, Ingham County Public Health

Project Description:
The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Ingham County Health Department and the Center for Advancement of Community Health have conducted an exploratory study to examine the effectiveness of interactive health communications technology as a resource for disseminating useful prevention, treatment, and health education information to school-aged children and their families. Research findings will offer guidance to community leaders, intermediary support organizations and IHC application developers.

Recent Developments: (Article from Forum, September-October 2002)

Health Online: Using Technology in Health Care
A research team of MSU faculty and community partners have completed a preliminary investigation into the benefits and obstacles encountered by community health agencies that make use of Interactive Health Communications (IHC) technology.

This study, funded through a 2000 FACT grant, adds to a growing body of scholarship on how advances in communication technology are changing the way families and communities live, work, and provide services in the Information Age. MSU faculty from the Office of Medical Education and Research in the College of Human Medicine, Medical Informatics in the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Department of Telecommunication worked with the Center for Advancing Community Health and Ingham County Health Department on the project.

IHC technologies are defined as electronic or communication devices through which individuals receive or relay health information, such as e-mail and the Internet. A survey of Ingham County public health professionals found a widespread belief that continued and expanded use of IHC in the workplace has the potential to benefit both professionals and families and children in the communities they serve. Professionals feel easier access to health information along with the array of opportunities for professional networking provided by IHC technologies promise to make them more knowledgeable and efficient service providers.

However, survey results also indicate that public health organizations must overcome some daunting obstacles before they can successfully integrate IHC technologies into the workplace. While nearly 60% of respondents rated the Internet as the most useful IHC application, only 20% considered the health information they found online to be "very reliable." Respondents were concerned that they could only fully reap the benefits of IHC technologies if they were directed toward reliable and organized sources of health information.

The survey uncovered that more training on technology use, guidance on finding and interpreting available information, as well as clear organizational policies on IHC use were the key concerns of professionals trying to incorporate IHC technologies into public health services. Results of this survey were published in late 2001 and were presented at selected conferences earlier this year. Based on these initial findings, the team plans to conduct a statewide survey of public health professionals to explore the relationship between IHC technologies and community health.

Copies of the results are available at the FACT office.