Hi All - it has been awhile since I have posted to Click4hp ... but wanted
to comment on the posting from Sam -

At 11:25 AM 4/18/98 -0400, Sam Lanfranco wrote:
>While I welcome the news of a policy commitment and funding for using this
>electronic venue for health promotion, I worry that a highly centralized
>solution has been funded in circumstances where a very decentralized
>(nested and linked) solution is called for.
>
In fact the HP Information service Sam is referring to is the National
Population Health Clearinghouse - a working title - and it is being designed
to build on the existing networks and organizations. At this point networks
are being mapped locally by local groups and organizations and networks will
discuss what they have contribute and how they would like to participate.

Core policies and criteria for information is being developed so end users
will be aware of the source and the credibility of the information.




>Health promotion is not like wheat. One does not gather "knowledge"
>into large silos and then try to get it the bakers. Health promotion is
>about turning communities, organizations and individuals into learning
>communities, organizations and individuals as they build capacity to deal
>with their health and their impact on health. It is a particiaptory and
>more decentralized process - calling for local wisdom and judgement, not
>just access to remote resources.
>

I can't agree with you more Sam - the service will be using online
searchable databases as one feature of the web based resource and the
capacity personalize your interests and type of information. It will be
supported by other points of access including call centres, fax back and
other services to ensure those beyond the web interface can get at the info
- but - it will be linking people back to their local communities, and
groups to build on the ability to find out how you can get involved locally
and or where the closest program or service is if that is what people are
interested in.

The intention is to work with your concepts around "nested" networks of
networks and the service becomes the orchestrating of the "zone play" as you
have taught me so well.

There are many local examples of exciting health promotion activities and
resources available but it is hard to know where or who or how to get at
it...at times - not always! :-)

It is the goal, as I see it, to see the NPHC grow and build over time and to
use the technology appropriately so local information providers not only
have a way to let others know what it is out there but give them the skills
and capapcity to build their working knowledge about what works for their
community in sharing out information in publicly accessible ways. It is a
two (or more :-) way flow and relationship. New partnerships - new
relationships - and ultimately greater access to good reliable health
information on health promotion and population health issues whether you are
a member of the public or a community worker or a health professional - let
alone a policy maker or academic.

It isn't an "either or" - Some local staff support is required to develop
the systems and maintain them and to support the local partners and
participants. But it is the local information and exisiting networks which
will make this service a vital and lively collaboration and resource for
Canadians.

I have been working on the development of the service with many others in
both the government and NGO sector.

Cheers - Liz Rykert