Improving older adults' e-health literacy through computer training using NIH online resources.

Available online 7 December 2011 A computer-based health literacy intervention for older adultswas developed and assessed from September 2007 to June 2009. A total of 218 adults between the ages of 60–89 participated in the study at two public libraries. The four week-long curricula covered two National Institutes of Health (NIH) websites: NIHSeniorHealth.gov and MedlinePlus.gov. Computer and Web knowledge significantly improved from preto post-intervention (pb .01 in both cases). Computer attitudes significantly improved from preto post-intervention: Anxiety significantly decreased while interest and efficacy both increased (pb .001 in all three cases). Most participants found both sites easy to use and were able to find needed information on both. Information found on NIHSeniorHealth was significantlymore useful than that onMedlinePlus (pb .05). Most participants (78%) reported that what they learned had affected their participation in their own health care. Participants had positive feedback on the intervention. These findings support the effectiveness and popularity of the intervention. By tapping into the well-established public library and NIH infrastructure, this intervention has great potential for scaling-up, and significant social and economic implications for a diverse range of communities and individuals. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.