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Combatting Information Fatigue: Health Information Resources for Veterans

Combatting Information Fatigue: Health Information Resources for Veterans. Terri Ottosen Consumer Health Outreach Coordinator National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern Atlantic Region University of Maryland, Baltimore. Objectives:.

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Combatting Information Fatigue: Health Information Resources for Veterans

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  1. Combatting Information Fatigue: Health Information Resources for Veterans Terri Ottosen Consumer Health Outreach Coordinator National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern Atlantic Region University of Maryland, Baltimore

  2. Objectives: • Understand the unique information needs of veterans and their families • Utilize resources presented to locate reliable, authoritative health information specific to veterans • Acquire skills and knowledge to effectively identify and assess resources not covered in the class

  3. Informational Needs • 8 million Vietnam Veterans • 6.7 million World War II Veterans • 4.3 million Korean conflict Veterans • 697,000 Gulf War Veterans • 1.4 million Afghanistan/Iraq • Greater rates of diabetes/overweight/obese • 1/3 U.S. veterans suffer from arthritis

  4. Informational Needs • Polytrauma • Chronic Disease • Traumatic Brain Injury • Spinal Cord Injury • Limb Loss • Eye injuries • PTSD and other mental health issues • Health care benefits, insurance, financial issues

  5. Informational Needs • Number of uninsured veterans ~2 million • Rose 2x as fast as the uninsured general population • In Jan. 2003, health care access cut off to future veterans earning more than $30-35,000 annually on average • Only a minority of veterans (those disabled by military service) are automatically eligible for VA care

  6. Informational Needs • 1/3 U.S. Military personnel war in Iraq access mental health services after returning home • Prevalence rates of mental health concerns higher for Iraq veterans – 19.1% vs. 11.3% Afghanistan and 8.5% from other locations • Veterans suffering depression are 7-8x more likely to commit suicide than general population: 90:100,000 vs. 13.5:100,000

  7. Informational Needs • VA and aid groups bracing for new surge in homeless veterans in years ahead • Contributing factors: • High rates of PTSD • Traumatic brain injury which can cause unstable behavior and substance abuse • Long and repeated tours of duty which makes reintegration into families and work harder

  8. Informational Needs • Veterans: 11% adult population yet 26% of the homeless on any given day • In 2006, 196,000 veterans of all ages were homeless on any given night • Chronic cases (homeless for > year) 44,000-64,000 veterans • Health information needs greater than general population?

  9. General Health Resources • Evaluating what’s out there on the Internet • M+ : Evaluating Health Information • M+ : Guide to Healthy Web Surfing • Key Points: Who runs/pays for the site? What is the purpose? Source of info? Reviewed? Current? How are links to other sites chosen? User info collected? Able to contact? Accurate?

  10. General Resources • ClinicalTrials.gov • Disability Information • MedlinePlus: Veterans and Military Health

  11. General Military Health Resources • MyHealthE Vet • Deployment Health Clinical Center • VA Polytrauma System of Care • Disabled American Veterans • Deployment Health and Family Readiness Library • Traumatic Brain Injury • Veterans and Military Health: Websites Serving NC

  12. Mental Health Resources • Dept. of Veterans Affairs Vet Center • National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder • Mental Health Self-Assessment Program • VA Mental Health

  13. Support Groups and Organizations • Citizen Soldier Support Program • Wounded Warrior Project • Military Homefront • Military Onesource • Amputee Coalition of America • National Amputation Foundation

  14. Demographic Group Resources • Women Veterans Health Strategic Healthcare Group • Center for Minority Veterans • National Native American Veterans Association • BlackMilitaryWorld

  15. Spinal Cord Injuries and Disease Resources • National Spinal Cord Injury Association • SPINALCORD: Spinal Cord Injury Information Network • M+ Interactive Tutorial: Spinal Cord Injuries

  16. Chronic Disease Resources • (WHO) World Health Organization: Chronic Diseases • (CDC) Centers for Disease Control: Chronic Disease Prevention

  17. Benefits Resources • IRIS: Inquiry Routing and Information System (Veterans Affairs) • GovBenefits.gov

  18. Health Insurance and Consumer Assistance • Navigating the Health Care System: A Resource Guide for Consumers • Questions and Answers about Health Insurance Guide (AHRQ) • Healthcare411

  19. Current Awareness and Other Resources • House Committee on Veterans Affairs Activities • Veterans History Project • Institute of Medicine: Health of Veterans and Deployed Forces • Blogs: Readers: Bloglines or Google Reader • Military Blogs (Milblogs)

  20. VALNET: Referral • VALNET: VA Library Network

  21. Thank You! Questions or Comments: National Network of Libraries of Medicine 800-338-7657 or email: tottosen@hshsl.umaryland.edu

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