A Conversation with the Honorable Dr. Charles Grim

TC:  Do you think online health information services like Medline Plus or Web M.D., or other internet-based resources are beginning to be a factor in Indian country, and do you think they’re culturally sensitive?

CG:  I think the short answer is that for parts of our population that have access to the Web, and also, HHS has developed some web services around health education. I think it's called Health Finder and it's at www.healthfinder.gov. It will actually get you into some Indian-specific pages.

That one is more culturally sensitive, but a lot of people are starting to know about, the health education - and I term them "health education" or "health awareness" – sites. But sort of health literacy. I mean, health literacy is a problem, I think, across the US. And perhaps it's a little bit higher in ethnic, or populations that have high poverty or unemployment rates. But really, they've shown that you can sort of be in any socio-economic strata, and still have low health literacy. Health issues and health treatments have become so complex that sites like this have sprung up to address the health literacy issue, and more and more people are becoming aware of them.

But I still think there is very recognized by the health care community, that there is a health literacy issue within the country that the whole population needs to deal with. And so I'm glad to see sites like that spring up. Like I said, we have one now that is sort of Indian-specific. And our population on the HHS website, so, I think those things help, but we just have to keep continue doing face-to-face stuff, too. But I'm glad there are sites like yours, and like the others out there, that are trying to get the word out, because you'd be surprised. I don't have any statistics, and maybe you do, about how many people get on the Web, you know, Indian people, and sign onto those sorts of sites. But it's an amazing amount these days. So I think those sites are a big help.

TC:  I appreciate your generosity in setting aside some time out of your busy schedule to speak with me, Dr. Grim.

CG:  I applaud and thank you for doing this, you know, to help get more word out about things that're going on. And we're more than happy to help. Because that's part of our mission too, is to continue to educate the population. And whenever we can partner with you know, press like you, and sites like you that are willing to help us in our mission, I've just very, very appreciative of it. So I thank you for your time as well.