--()--Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM):
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What: |
The Houston Public Library (HPL), the Houston Department of Health and Human Services and The Humana Foundation will unveil the first of four Wellness Information Zone Centers (WZ Center) available free to the Houston community. | |
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In order to bring health information to the public in everyday language, The Humana Foundation launched www.wellzone.org, part of the Wellness Information Zone initiative. This health literacy Web site quickly connects individuals and their families to free, reliable health information with content written at a third- to sixth-grade level, including talking guides and multiple language options such as Spanish. |
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Each WZ Center is a private area in the HPL with direct computer access to www.wellzone.org and health information guides to assist in health-related questions. Additionally, HPL librarians have received training on the WZ Centers in order to better help Houstonians find reliable health information. The WZ Center locations at HPL are the Central Library, Carnegie Neighborhood Library, HPL Express Southwest and the new Vinson Neighborhood Library. |
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| Underscoring the importance of health and physical activity, attendees are also invited to try an exergame on the HPL’s Wii Fit Stations. | ||
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Who: |
Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, Director, Houston Public Library | |
| Stephen Williams, Director, Houston Department of Health and Human Services | ||
| Virginia Kelly Judd, Executive Director, The Humana Foundation | ||
| Pattie Dale Tye, President, Humana of Houston | ||
| Proclamation from Mayor Bill White | ||
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When: |
Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m. | |
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Where: |
Houston Public Library Central Library – 2nd Floor | |
| 500 McKinney | ||
| Houston, TX 77002 | ||
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How: |
This event is FREE to the public. Anyone interested in attending should arrive at the Central Library before 10 a.m. No RSVP or tickets are required. |
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Why: |
Research has shown that more than 90 million Americans have difficulty obtaining, understanding and acting on basic health information, and only one in six Americans is proficient when it comes to health literacy. Many reports link lower health literacy levels to poor communication between patients and providers and poor health outcomes. The information gap increased hospitalization rates and lessened frequent screening for diseases such as cancer, resulting in disproportionately high rates of disease and mortality. | |
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The Wellness Information Zone initiative (www.wellzone.org) was developed to help address low health literacy levels and the resulting problems by providing resources and guidance to obtain reliable health information. The WZ Center will be previewed on Friday at the Central Library, but www.wellzone.org will be available, free of charge, at libraries across Houston. |
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