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Online Health Communities and Health Literacy: Applying a Framework for Understanding Domains of Health Literacy

Online Health Communities and Health Literacy: Applying a Framework for Understanding Domains of Health Literacy

Erin Willis, Ye Wang, Shelly Rodgers
ISBN13: 9781466627703|ISBN10: 1466627700|EISBN13: 9781466627710
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-2770-3.ch010
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MLA

Willis, Erin, et al. "Online Health Communities and Health Literacy: Applying a Framework for Understanding Domains of Health Literacy." User-Driven Healthcare: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, edited by Information Resources Management Association, IGI Global, 2013, pp. 180-196. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-2770-3.ch010

APA

Willis, E., Wang, Y., & Rodgers, S. (2013). Online Health Communities and Health Literacy: Applying a Framework for Understanding Domains of Health Literacy. In I. Management Association (Ed.), User-Driven Healthcare: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 180-196). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-2770-3.ch010

Chicago

Willis, Erin, Ye Wang, and Shelly Rodgers. "Online Health Communities and Health Literacy: Applying a Framework for Understanding Domains of Health Literacy." In User-Driven Healthcare: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, edited by Information Resources Management Association, 180-196. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2013. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-2770-3.ch010

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Abstract

The purpose of the chapter is to define health literacy and e-health literacy in the context of online health communities (OHCs). The chapter has three sections. The first section defines and discusses features of OHCs. The second section defines health literacy and e-health literacy, including domains of health literacy, which, as the authors argue, is necessary for a greater understanding of health literacy and OHCs. The third section applies the health literacy domains using The Biggest Loser League weight-loss OHC as a case study. A content analysis of posts was conducted between September 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Domains of health literacy were coded. Results show that functional literacy and interactive literacy were present in the OHC discussions to a greater degree than any of the other health literacy domains examined. Results are discussed in light of health literacy and e-health literacy, and practical implications of OHCs are explored.

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