Health literacy is the set of skills we use to find and evaluate information in order to make health-related decisions. October, Health Literacy Month, was an exciting month in and out of the Biomedical Library, with activities ranging from workshops, to a book talk, a baby shower and more…

“Using and Evaluating (FREE) Health Websites” Webinar

As the Community Health & Engineering Librarian, I kicked off Health Literacy Month on October 2nd by co-presenting a webinar entitled “Using and Evaluating (Free) Health Websites” with Erin Seger from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Mid-Atlantic Region (NNLM MAR). The webinar was geared towards members of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. 45 people registered for the webinar, and 3,500 people will have access to the recording.

Dr. Offit providing advice for folks interested in advocating for science

Dr. Paul Offit’s book talk at the Biomedical Library

On October 5th, Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology and Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine, visited the Biomedical Library to discuss his latest book,  Bad Advice: Or Why Celebrities, Politicians, and Activists Aren’t Your Best Source of Health Information. 59 people registered for this engaging talk.

Aman Kaur, Community Health & Engineering Librarian demonstrating how to use KidsHealth at Penn Medicine Baby Shower

Penn Medicine Baby Shower

On October 6th, 164 expectant or new parents along with their loved ones stopped by the Penn Libraries table at the Penn Medicine Baby Shower where they learned about KidsHealth, MedlinePlus, and other credible health websites.

“Evaluating Health Websites & Apps” Workshop

On October 11th, Richard James, the Nursing & Bioethics Librarian, and I co-presented the “Evaluating Health Websites & Apps” workshop for 30 people in the Biomedical Library, including students and instructors in the NURS 380 Community Nursing course. Two sections of this course are currently doing clinical rotations in health corners, consumer health information-oriented spaces located at select West Philly branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia through partnerships with the Biomedical Library and the School of Nursing and initial funding from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine.

Penn Medicine table at the Minorities in Health Symposium

Minorities in Health Symposium

On October 12th, Kathleen Fox, the 2018 – 2020 Eugene Garfield Resident in Science Librarianship, and I represented Penn Medicine at the Minorities in Health Symposium at Esperanza College at Eastern University, located in North Philadelphia. We talked to 145 high school students interested in clinical careers.

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Walking with a (Future) Doc

On a rainy October 13th, I participated in Walk With a (Future) Doc where students, staff, and faculty from Penn Medicine and the Center for Public Health Initiatives discussed the importance of getting a flu shot as well as other vaccines.

Book List for Public Libraries

On October 16th, the Penn Libraries Community Health Outreach team published its initial list of recommended health books, which is intended to help public libraries make collection development-related decisions in regards to consumer health information.

HARC X

On October 22nd, I was a panelist on “Librarians’ Health Literacy Outreach Projects: Community and Clinical Collaborations” at HARC X, the 10th Annual Health Literacy Annual Research Conference hosted by Boston University in Bethesda, Maryland. I was excited to share information about the Biomedical Library’s Community Health Outreach initiatives.

Relaxation Room

Lastly, on October 29th, The Biomedical Library opened a Relaxation Room, a quiet space for you to step away from studying and clear your mind with relaxing activities such as stretching, coloring, listening to soothing sounds, and more.  Stay tuned for information about a reception to celebrate the room’s opening!

Request a health literacy workshop for your course, student organization, department, or another campus group by visiting our Community Health Outreach website. Be sure to stop by the Consumer Health Information Corner, by the purple couches inside the Biomedical Library.