Work

Web-based health resources at US colleges: early patterns and missed opportunities in preventive health.

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Web-based health resources on college websites have the potential to reach a substantial number of college students. The objective of this study was to characterize how colleges use their websites to educate about and promote health. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of websites from a nationally representative sample of 426 US colleges. Reviewers abstracted information about Web-based health resources from college websites, namely health information, Web links to outside health resources, and interactive Web-based health programs. RESULTS: Nearly 60% of US colleges provided health resources on their websites, 49% provided health information, 48% provided links to outside resources, and 28% provided interactive Web-based health programs. The most common topics of Web-based health resources were mental health and general health. CONCLUSION: We found widespread presence of Web-based health resources available from various delivery modes and covering a range of health topics. Although further research in this new modality is warranted, Web-based health resources hold promise for reaching more US college students.

Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)

Authors: J Jane S Jue, Joshua P Metlay

Institution: Philadelphia VA Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Health Literacy and Information Accessibility

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Award: Neighborhood level determinants of pneumococcal disease transmission