RE: Health Literacy

["David Prosser" <david.prosser@bodley.ox.ac.uk>]

Peter, It is not, as you appear to believe either 'health educators,
librarians, voluntary health organizations, and government agencies' or
open access.  There is no need to place them in false opposition.
 
If these groups are going to translate research into a 'form that empowers
people to achieve greater health' surly it is better that they have access
to all of the research - not just that proportion that they can afford.  
All else being equal, who is more effective - a health educator who has
access to all of the research in diabetes or one who just has access to
one journal?
 
David 
 
-----Original Message-----
[mailto:owner-liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Peter Banks
Sent: 01 August 2005 23:21
To: liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu
Subject: Health Literacy
 
Those who think that Open Access will lead to a rising tide of health
literacy should examine the sobering statistics at the Health Resources
and Services Administration. See http://www.hrsa.gov/quality/healthlit.htm
 
Open Access may serve a select group of patients, but the HRSA data make
clear the pressing need for health educators, librarians, voluntary health
organizations, and government agencies to translate new research into a
form that empowers people to achieve greater health. Without this context
and interpretation, Open Access threatens to deepen the gulf between those
who have adequate health information resources and those who do not.
 
Peter Banks Publisher 
American Diabetes Association 
Email: pbanks@diabetes.org