Development of a culturally relevant consumer health information website for Harlem, New York.

The process of creating a geographically tailored health information website with ongoing feedback from community members is one of inquiry and discovery, frustration and triumph, and development and reevaluation. This article reviews the development and implementation of GetHealthyHarlem.org, a health literacy level-appropriate consumer health information website tailored to consumers in Harlem, New York City.

Computer use, internet access, and online health searching among Harlem adults.

Purpose: Computer use, Internet access, and online searching for health information were assessed toward enhancing Internet use for health promotion.

Design: Cross-sectional random digit dial landline phone survey.

Setting: Eight zip codes that comprised Central Harlem/Hamilton Heights and East Harlem in New York City.

There's always Plan B: adolescent knowledge, attitudes and intention to use emergency contraception.

Background: It can prove challenging to create social marketing materials aimed at a specific subsection of the population, especially when the topic is relatively new and possibly misunderstood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess adolescent knowledge of and attitudes towards emergency contraception (EC), with the goal of creating a locally relevant social marketing campaign and intervention.

Methods: This qualitative study consisted of 18 in-depth interviews and four focus groups (n=29) with adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 21 years, conducted in New York City between August and December 2006.

HIV testing preferences among young men of color who have sex with men.

Objectives: We assessed awareness of and preferences for rapid HIV testing among young, urban men of color who have sex with men and are engaged in high-risk behaviors for HIV.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in New York City among 177 young men who have sex with men (MSM).

Results: Among the 85% of the participants who had previously undergone HIV testing, 43% reported rapid testing at their most recent test.

Feasibility of using computer-assisted interviewing to enhance HIV test counseling in community settings.

Objectives: Significant advances in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) place a premium on early detection and linkage to care. Recognizing the need to efficiently yet comprehensively provide HIV counseling, we assessed the feasibility of using audio computer-assisted self-inventory (A-CASI) in a community-based HIV counseling and testing facility.

Methods: A convenience sample of 50 adults presenting for HIV testing was recruited to complete an 85-item computerized HIV Assessment of Risk Inventory (HARI) containing domains of demographics, sexual behaviors, alcohol and substance use, emotional well-being, past experiences with HIV testing, and attitudes about taking HARI.

An online audio computer-assisted self-interview for pre-screening prior to rapid HIV testing in a vulnerable population.

ACASI (Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview) has been demonstrated to be more effective than face to face interviews in eliciting truthful responses on sensitive subjects such as substance abuse and sexual behavior (1, 2). Thus, ACASI has the potential to streamline and standardize HIV counseling and testing by providing a comprehensive overview of each patients behavior while highlighting areas that may merit further exploration.

One chip at a time: using technology to enhance youth development.

Youth development programs have the potential to positively impact psychosocial growth and maturation in young adults. Several youth development programs are capitalizing on youths' natural gravitation toward technology as well. Research has shown that youth view technology and technologic literacy as positive and empowering, and that youth who master technology have increased self-esteem and better socioeconomic prospects than their counterparts.

Secure e-mail applications: strengthening connections between adolescents, parents, and health providers.

Although e-mail has become a popular means of communication among consumers, particularly youth, available evidence suggests that current use of this modality to facilitate communication between consumers and their health providers is relatively modest. Historically, structural and legal issues have provided substantial impediments; however, new developments in providing secure and protected mechanisms for transmitting and delivering e-mail messages may pave the way to enhance use and improve communication.

The New York City Community Outreach Study: biomedical and mental health status among a community sample of urban Hispanics.

Objective: This report provides a snapshot of health behavior and risk in one low-income, urban, Latino community. As part of a community health and education program, 200 adult residents were asked about their health status and behavior and screened for conditions known to constitute significant health risk.

Design: A random sample of 10 buildings around a large community-based organization (CBO) service area was selected to receive personal invitation and/or door-to-door flyers announcing several days of free health screening and education at the CBO.