Internet health: students need to become well-informed consumers of online health resources. (The Online Edge).Two out of three teenagers who use the Internet search for health-related topics, and one in four say they get "a lot of information online, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Generation Rx.com, a national survey conducted recently by the Kaiser Family Foundation The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), or just Kaiser Family Foundation, is a U.S.-based non-profit, private operating foundation headquartered in Menlo Park, California. . The study reports that half the teens seek information on specific diseases such as diabetes or cancer, and 44 percent look for content on sexual health issues including pregnancy, birth control, HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and other sexually transmitted diseases Sexually transmitted diseases Infections that are acquired and transmitted by sexual contact. Although virtually any infection may be transmitted during intimate contact, the term sexually transmitted disease is restricted to conditions that are largely . In addition, one in four seeks information on weight, and 23 percent target informal/on for each of these categories: mental health, violence, drags and alcohol. Almost 40 percent of teens say they changed their behavior because of content found on the Web, but only 29 percent say they checked the sources of the information they found. "We need to pay attention to the quality and reliability of the health information reaching this important audience through the Internet," says Victoria Rideout, Kaiser's vice president and research program director, www.kff.org. HEALTH POWER TO SCHOOLS POWER While surprising numbers of students are taking charge by seeking online health information, finding answers to questions they might be uncomfortable asking adults, there's still a place for educators in this mix. Since there is an overwhelming number of more than 15,000 health-related Web sites, students can easily come across incorrect information from questionable or disreputable dis·rep·u·ta·ble adj. Lacking respectability, as in character, behavior, or appearance. dis·rep sites. As a result, it is critical to help students identify trustworthy quality resources, such as the sites listed at the end of this column. Conversely, using health topics is a powerful way to develop student's research skills for assessing the value of online information. Students have their own interests in topics such as communicable diseases communicable diseases, illnesses caused by microorganisms and transmitted from an infected person or animal to another person or animal. Some diseases are passed on by direct or indirect contact with infected persons or with their excretions. , allergies, depression and substance abuse. Health topics are therefore tremendously motivating for enhancing online research skills. At the same time, students must be taught to beware of using online content as a substitute for medical care from physicians, and know that some sites-especially those that require registration-are criticized for collecting and selling personal data and sending unsolicited product e-mail to visitors. Nevertheless, Forrester Research Forrester Research is an independent technology and market research company that provides its clients with advice about technology's impact on business and consumers. Corporate facts
SEEKING CURRICULUM MODELS There are useful guidelines and models on the Web to help you review your present health curriculum. These include the education-related sites that follow, and materials from organizations such as the American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues:
HEALTH-RELATED SITES * American Medical Association American Medical Association (AMA), professional physicians' organization (founded 1847). Its goals are to protect the interests of American physicians, advance public health, and support the growth of medical science. , www.ama-assn.org * Drkoop.com, www.drkoop.com * Health Pages, www.thehealthpages.com * HealthCentral.com, healthcentral.com * Healthfinder, www.healthfinder.gov * Healthtouch Online, www.healthtouch.com * InteliHealth, www.intelihealth.com * MayoClinic.com, www.mayoclinic.com * Medem Healthcare Information, www.medem.com * MEDLINEplus Health Information, medlineplus.gov * Medscape Health for Consumers, www.medscapehealth.com * The Merck Manual Home Edition, www.merckhomeedition.com * National Institutes of Health: Health Information, www.nih.gov/health * Prevline, www.health.org * RxList, www.rxlist.com * WebMD, www.webmd.com HEALTH SITES TARGETED TO EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS * Kids and Teachers, www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/kids/index.htm * Kids Health and Fitness, www.kidsliealthandfitness.com.au * KidsHealth, www.kidshealth.org * KidsRunning.com, www.kidsrunning.com * Nutrition Navigator, navigator.tuffs.edu/index.html * PE Central, pe.central.vt.edu * Sports Media Sports Media, Inc. (SMI) is a Sports Media and Marketing company that produces radio and television programming as well as representing professional athletes. 2002 Cowboys Live - Hosted by Dallas Cowboys Joey Galloway , www.sports-media.org * TeenGrowth.com, www.teengrowth.com * TeensHealth, www.teenshealth.org * Youthealth.com, www.youthealth.com Odvard Egil Dyrli, dyrli@uconn.edu, is senior editor and emeritus e·mer·i·tus adj. Retired but retaining an honorary title corresponding to that held immediately before retirement: a professor emeritus. n. pl. professor of education at the University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut is the State of Connecticut's land-grant university. It was founded in 1881 and serves more than 27,000 students on its six campuses, including more than 9,000 graduate students in multiple programs. UConn's main campus is in Storrs, Connecticut. . |
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