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Health Information Partners
Max Robinson Health Center, the Anacostia branch of the Whitman Walker Clinic
2301 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20020

Max Robinson Health Center:     
http://www.wwc.org/regional_centers/max_robinson.html
 
Partners for Health Information – links to health web sites:
http://www.gwumc.edu/partners/

Health Information Partners, the health literacy coalition:
http://connectforhealth.gwu.edu
 
Site Description
Health Information Partners teaches the public how to use online health information to promote personal and community health.  It includes library, literacy and health practitioners who work in adult education, clinical, and public settings.  HIPS holds classes for the public and literacy students, visits health centers where computers are provided for patients, and staffs health fairs and street outreach. 

For 8 years, GW students and faculty have conducted health information classes for clients at the Max Wellness Center.  This year students will help launch the patient education computer program, coaching patients in the waiting room to research health on the lobby computer.  Steve Lerch, the Center’s associate director and a social worker skilled in HIV care, will advise us.

Expectations of Team Members
--Two hours per month coaching patients on the computer at Max Robinson and/or 2 hours a month planning and teaching health information workshops at GW and other locations. 

--Attending either 1 health fair or 1 street outreach activity in Ward 8 per semester.

Anticipated Project(s)
Students will be expected to visit the Center for 2 hours minimum each month to help patients use Internet resources on HIV and other topics.  The team will be responsible for developing a plan to increase its use among patients and to involve clinicians there.  Students will have opportunities to interact with the clients of the Max Robinson Health Center who attend a weekly computer class on Thursday mornings and host monthly cook-outs and cafes.

In addition, the team will help organize and teach hands-on health information workshops for the public at GW and other locations. 

There are many opportunities for students to interact with the community through HIPS, including monthly street outreach advocacy on HIV in Ward 8, an “HIV Speak Out and March” in Ward 8 on November 3, and a November 17th health fair at the Washington Highlands Library. Students can also organize health talks for clients at Max Robinson and adult education students enrolled in GED classes at the Academy of Hope in NE and the School of Tomorrow in NW where HIPS will teach weekly health classes.
 
Students are expected to spend at least 2 hours per month in community events.  Most will occur on Thursdays and Saturdays, but other days are available. The team advisors along with the Max Robinson clients will train students on Internet health sites and health literacy issues. There are many opportunities for students to develop relationships with community residents and broaden their understanding of the social factors affecting health. In addition, students will have contact with the HIV activists trying to reduce the epidemic in the District.

Past Projects       
--Visiting and coaching patients at 5 different health centers, visiting for 2 hours biweekly or  weekly.

 --Giving health talks on blood pressure, breast cancer, diabetes, and nutrition at public
   libraries and a health center.
 
 --Staffing health fairs at the Washington Highlands Library.
 
 --Conducting a survey of people’s Internet use.
 
 --Designing an evaluation of people’s experience with online health information.

 --Creating signs, brochures and handouts to encourage people to research health online.

Additional Information (coming soon)

Partners for Health Information 2001-02