Linking Native Americans to Quality Health Information on the Internet

Abstract

Native Americans experience significant health problems. Teaching them how to access health information on the Internet has the potential to give them knowledge to maintain more healthy lifestyles, provide them with reliable information about their problems, and make them aware of possible treatment options.

A qualitative study of Canadian Aboriginal women’s beliefs about “credible” cancer information on the internet

“…19 Moreover, Internet training sessions at tribal college libraries have been conducted for librarians and staff on how to access the Internet for culturally sensitive health information and how to teach Natives how to use the Internet. 20 With increased use of the Internet, attention needs to be paid to Aboriginal people's preference for culturally relevant resources that provide local "mobilizing information" as revealed in this exploratory study with Native Canadian women. Cues to action or mobilizing information (inclusion of a contact name, telephone number, address, or Web site for further information) [21][22][23] can motivate individuals to take charge of their health 24 and has been found to predict older adults' screening behaviors.…”