Table of Contents
A Collaboration Between a Public Library and Health Educators to Promote Community Health
– Nancy O’Hara Tompkins, Christine M. Arena, Kerry Redican, Lynn Margheim, Terryonna Smith & Kayla Mbzandore
Background: Public libraries in the United States are increasingly becoming involved in community health education programs, many of which are designed to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Purpose: The purpose of this article was to explore the collaboration between a public library and health educators to enhance population health.
Methods: This mixed-methods cross-sectional study included an online and paper survey, key informant interviews, and focus groups with library leadership and personnel.
Results: A strong base of support for the library to become a key partner in community health education was found. Community members were most interested in nutrition and healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, and programs on finding reliable health information. Key stakeholders and library leadership and personnel perceived the library to be a rich and trusted organization primed to become more involved in community health education.
Discussion: The involvement of public health educators in this study strengthened the library’s capacity to conduct a rigorous needs assessment for the planning of community health education initiatives.
Translation to Health Education Practice: Health education is often focused on chronic disease prevention programs based on sound needs assessments and engaging stakeholders. This study’s findings directly address NCHEC Area 1 competencies – Assessment of Needs and Capacity and Area II competencies – Engaging priority populations, partners, and stakeholders for participation in the planning process.
Research Articles
Respiratory Health and Underlying Tobacco Use Motives Among Cigarette Smokers and Hubble-bubble Pipe Consumers: A Comparative Study
- Laiba Rizvi, Seemab Ashraf, Muhammed Ahmed, Khurram Khalid, Awais Latif, Mariam Javed & Iqraa Irfan
Psychological Well-Being and Coping Strategies Among Retirees: A Cross-Sectional Study
- Elaheh Shoushtari-Moghaddam, Masoud Karimi, Mohammad Javad Tarrahi, Esmail Soltani & Mohammad Hossein Kaveh
The Effect of Continuous Care Model Based Education on Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, and Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Atefeh Ghanavatpour, Marjan Mansourian & Hossein Shahnazi
Lifestyle Coach Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to Participation and Lifestyle Change Among Black and Latinx National Diabetes Prevention Program Participants
- Brynn L. Meulenberg, Terry Kim, Jesus Emmanuel Diaz, Manuel Gutierrez Chavez, Anu Asnaani, Cassidy A. Gutner, Natalie D. Ritchie & Katherine J.W. Baucom
Examining the Utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Studying Intention to Reduce Drinking among High-Risk College Students in the U.S.
- Benjamin N. Montemayor, Melody Noland & Melinda Ickes
Examining Student Knowledge, Skills, and Confidence Applying the NCHEC Eight Areas of Responsibility
- Jennifer L. Evans & Susan Milstein