Conference on Using Web for Health Information

WRITER: Larry B. Dendy, 706/542-8078

CONTACT: Roger Morrell, 706/542-3954

GERONTOLOGY CENTER SPONSORS CONFERENCE ON USING WEB

FOR HEALTH INFORMATION

WRITER: Larry B. Dendy, 706/542-8078

CONTACT: Roger Morrell, 706/542-3954

GERONTOLOGY CENTER SPONSORS CONFERENCE ON USING WEB FOR HEALTH INFORMATION

ATHENS, Ga. -- The University of Georgia Gerontology Center is co-sponsor of a national conference this month that will explore using the World Wide Web to provide health information to older people.

The March 25 conference at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., is expected to draw 250 participants from government, business, education and non-government agencies. It is co-sponsored by the SPRY Foundation of Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health.

Roger W. Morrell, assistant director of the UGA Gerontology Center, is co-chair of the conference organizing committee. Morrell and Leonard Poon, Gerontology Center director, will make presentations at the conference.

An estimated one third of the U.S. population will be 50 years old or older within 10 years. This group--which will control an estimated $900 billion in discretionary income--is one of the fastest growing users of the Internet.

Conference speakers will share research findings and discuss strategies for using the World Wide Web to give health information to older people. Among topics to be addressed: the demographics of middle-aged and older people who use the Internet; the kinds of health information available on websites; design of websites; and ways to help older people get health information off the Internet.

The conference will include an area equipped with computers where participants can display websites with health information.

Morrell has conducted extensive research on training older people to use computers, and specifically on helping the elderly get information on health and medication adherence from computers.

###