College of Physicians of Philadelphia Featured as Community Health Data Base Spotlight Agency, October 2003
Wednesday. October 1, 2003

The College Of Physicians of Philadelphia Launches Its New Consumer Health Initiative, Philly Health Info

For more than two centuries, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, a not-for-profit cultural and scholarly membership institution, has been deeply committed to the education and health of the public. The College’s newest initiative, Philly Health Info, is a web-based and community-based health information program designed to empower consumers toward a more complete understanding and management of their health and medical needs.

The centerpiece of Philly Health Info is a multifaceted Web portal (www.phillyhealthinfo.org) that supplies access to the latest quality health and wellness information, with a unique emphasis on regional resources and services. In addition to highlighting the latest developments in medical care and disease prevention strategies, the website provides consumers with easy to understand health resources, complimented by a directory of local support groups, medical services and health screenings (which are listed free of charge). 

Beyond the virtual presence, a health information “kiosk” has been installed in the Northeast Regional branch of the Free Library, the busiest among the Library’s 54 branches. At the kiosk, a trained volunteer is available to provide one-on-one assistance to patrons seeking health information. By combining Internet resources with on-site volunteers, Philly Health Info hopes to help consumers without computer or Internet access to get the health information and regional resources they need.

The Philly Health Info project is gaining momentum through coalition building. The College’s Philly Health Info Network, a coalition of educational, health and community leaders (including the Free Library, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and PHMC) is dedicated to improving the health literacy of Greater Philadelphia and serves in an advisory capacity to the project. Additional participants and organizations are sought to strengthen the partnership and ensure we reach the at-risk population most in need.

To learn more about the Philly Health Info project, including ways your organization can participate, contact Andrea Kenyon, Director of Public Services at the College at 215-563-3737 ext. 237; or Kenyon@collphyphil.org.

To visit the website, go to http://www.phillyhealthinfo.org