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No. 106 | |
July/August 2001 |
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| ARHealthLINK
Launched
Arkansans have higher than average rates for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease and stroke *. On July 1, 2001, the Arkansas Consumer Health Information Network (ARCHIN) launched a web site to help Arkansans find information on these topics, as well as many other health-related subjects. ARHealthLINK (http://www.arhealthlink.org) serves as a gateway to authoritative health, wellness, and disease-specific information. It also provides Arkansas-specific information, including a calendar of health-related events for the public and for health care professionals, information on support groups, health care facilities, etc. UAMS Library staff, including Outreach Coordinator Susan Steelman and Web Manager Eric Dousay, maintain the ARHealthLINK website. ARCHIN members provide training for health care professionals, public librarians, and public health workers in the use of ARHealthLINK and other consumer health information resources. Members periodically update a "Core" list of consumer health information books and other resources. A task force is currently implementing a plan to publicize and promote use of the ARHealthLINK website. Brochures and bookmarks have been distributed to public and academic libraries throughout the state, press releases were sent to media outlets, and many presentations were made or are planned for the near future. ARHealthLINK brochures have been distributed to various sites at UAMS, and more are available upon request. |
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The Arkansas Consumer Health Information Network (ARCHIN) was created after the UAMS Library organized a meeting of librarians and representatives from several health-related agencies and organizations in March of 1998 to discuss the need for better access to health information for the public. In January of 2000, the UAMS Library received $40,000 in funding from the National Library of Medicine under contract #NO1-ML-6-3525 for the ARHealthLINK web server, the initial design of the web site, which was done by Lynn Bell in Campus Media Services, and the production of promotional materials. ARCHIN's steering committee currently consists of representatives from the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, Arkansas Children's Hospital Library, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas State Library, Central Arkansas Library System, Mississippi County Library System, the U of A Cooperative Extension Service, UALR Ottenheimer Library, the UAMS College of Public Health, and the UAMS Library. For more information, or to give feedback about the
website, please contact Susan Steelman (Info@ARHealthLINK.org)
or Mary Ryan (RyanMaryL@UAMS.edu).
*Based on statistics in Health Care State Rankings, 2000. Lawrence KS: Morgan Quitno Press, 1993-.
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