Web-Based Health Resources at US Colleges: Early Patterns and Missed Opportunities in Preventive Health || Preventing Chronic Disease: November 2011: 10_0236

 

Web-Based Health Resources at US Colleges: Early Patterns and Missed Opportunities in Preventive Health

J. Jane S. Jue, MD, MSc; Joshua P. Metlay, MD, PhD

Suggested citation for this article: Jue JS, Metlay JP. Web-based health resources at US colleges: early patterns and missed opportunities in preventive health. Prev Chronic Dis 2011;8(6):A138. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/nov/10_0236.htm. Accessed [date].

PEER REVIEWED

Abstract

Introduction
Web-based health resources on college websites have the potential to reach a substantial number of college students. The objective of this study was to characterize how colleges use their websites to educate about and promote health.

Methods
This study was a cross-sectional analysis of websites from a nationally representative sample of 426 US colleges. Reviewers abstracted information about Web-based health resources from college websites, namely health information, Web links to outside health resources, and interactive Web-based health programs.

Results
Nearly 60% of US colleges provided health resources on their websites, 49% provided health information, 48% provided links to outside resources, and 28% provided interactive Web-based health programs. The most common topics of Web-based health resources were mental health and general health.

Conclusion
We found widespread presence of Web-based health resources available from various delivery modes and covering a range of health topics. Although further research in this new modality is warranted, Web-based health resources hold promise for reaching more US college students

full-text:
Preventing Chronic Disease: November 2011: 10_0236