Community Core: Health and Wellness Evidence for Everyone
Our mission is to improve public health through evidence. To do this, we help people use evidence for health and wellness decisions. To make informed decisions, you need evidence-based (EB) health and wellness information. We search for health information. We review EB information for the public. Science and research are the basis of trusted evidence. To screen for quality, we consider the science and references. If the resource is trustworthy, we broadcast it. We educate, provide tools and tips and partner with experts.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) has three parts. EBP blends the best research, clinician expertise and patient preferences.
Why does EBP matter?
EBP matters because research shows that it improves health and wellness.
What does evidence-based (EB) mean?
Evidence-based health and wellness information considers facts from many research studies. Research is central to being evidence-based.
Benefits of Engaging
We can help anyone find trustworthy health and wellness information. We focus on the best evidence as this will help you make better informed decisions.
Register for “What About Me? The Patient Perspective in Evidence-based Practice and Shared Decision Making”
As healthcare providers and advocates, it’s our job to help health consumers make the best and most informed health decisions. Health consumers must be empowered to find reliable health information and be prepared to ask questions related to decisions made by healthcare providers. Join us for the preconference workshop presented by the Community Core at the Fuld Institute for Evidence-based Practice in the College of Nursing. In the workshop, you will learn how to decide if a health information website is valid and reliable, as well as learning to use a decision-making tool to help make informed health decisions.
Health and Wellness Evidence for Everyone Roadmap
These five actions are our strategy for connecting with you. We encourage you to use evidence to promote health and wellness. Understanding the evidence behind health and wellness options can help you make the best decisions for you and your family.
1Long S, Khairat S. Roadmap for engaging consumers in using health information technology. In: Mantas J, Househ MS, Hasman A, eds. Integrating Information Technology and Management for Quality of Care. Vol 202: IOS Press; 2014:177-180.
Inform
We provide information for people to make informed decisions.
Engage
We connect with the public to guide our work.
Empower
We encourage people to share health and wellness goals and desires with providers. We inspire people to influence health policy.
Partner
We partner with others that promote health and wellness content based on evidence.
Support
We build resources that support the community.
Resources
We have compiled a collection of resources to help you make better informed healthcare decisions. You can find all of these resources in the table below. Use the filter to search and find the resources you are looking for within the collection.
| Title | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. National Library of Medicine site | MedlinePlus has high-quality health and wellness information. The content is based on evidence, so you can trust it. | Open Resource |
| Cochrane Consumer Network | The Cochrane Consumer Network is a free, online community. This network keeps you in touch with high-quality health evidence. | Open Resource |
| Buckeye Community Connect | We want to help you to make choices that lead to good health. Finding free (or low-cost) services is tough. This website contains a search tool for finding FREE or low-cost services that are close to home. They list community-based organizations that help with food, housing, transportation, and jobs. | Open Resource |
| AHRQ: Be More Involved in Your Health Care | Have you shared your health goals with your provider? There are ways to be more involved in your healthcare. | Open Resource |
| Choosing Wisely campaign | This resource can help you decide about healthcare tests. Healthcare experts made recommendations based on research. You will want to discuss your unique situation with your health care provider. | Open Resource |
| COVID-19 Vaccine: Is It the Right Choice for Me? | EBSCO created a decision aid to about the COVID-19 vaccine. It lists the pros and cons of getting the vaccine based on the latest evidence for mRNA vaccines. | Open Resource |
| TIPPI | People and healthcare professionals created TIPPI. This website has healthcare tips and advice. | Open Resource |
| Ottawa Personal Decision Guides | Making a health decision can be stressful. This website has a decision guide. The guide can help you weigh the pros and cons of the options. You can use it to share your views about your decision with your family or health care provider. | Open Resource |
| Discussion Aid ICAN: "My Life, My Health" from The Mayo Clinic | Dr. Kasey Boehmer created the ICAN Discussion Aid. You can use it to plan the conversation with your health care provider. | Open Resource |
| The People’s Trial: A Fun Way to Learn about Research | The People’s Trial is a fun way to learn about research (evidence). The public community designs a classic “experiment,” (a randomized controlled trial). Anyone can take part – you don’t need special skills or training, and it’s free! | Open Resource |
| iHealthFacts: Checking the Reliability of Health Claims | Would you like a way to check the truthfulness of a health claim on social media? iHealthFacts is a free resource where experts check health claims. Scientists search for the latest research evidence about the claim and tell you what the science shows. | Open Resource |
| Evaluating Internet Health Information: A Tutorial | Would you like to learn more about how to evaluate a health website? This free online tutorial teaches you how to evaluate health information websites. | Open Resource |
| For Health Consumers and Patients: Find Good Health Information | Librarians developed this website for health consumers. They guide you to find good health information. | Open Resource |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the U.S.’s health protection agency. Their website posts health information for diseases and conditions. | Open Resource |
| U.S. Food and Drug Information: For Consumers | The FDA provides science-based health information. They have health and safety information about food, drugs, medical devices, and vaccines. They also have information about pet food and pet medicine. | Open Resource |
| The Office of Minority Health Knowledge Center | The OMH online catalog is a resource for minority health. Users can access consumer health materials. | Open Resource |
| U.S. National Institute on Aging Health Information | The NIA website has health information for older Americans. | Open Resource |
| Youth Mental Health First Aid in Ohio | Mental Health America of Ohio is sponsoring a Youth Mental Health First Aid class. Participants learn how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge. Go to their website to be placed on the waiting list for a future class. | Open Resource |
| One Mind PsyberGuide | One Mind PsyberGuide is a non-profit project that aims to help people to use technology to live a mentally healthier life. This website provides app reviews based on science. The apps focus on mental health. | Open Resource |
Community Core Events
Connect With Us
Join the movement to transform the future of healthcare. Contact us at communitycore@osu.edu to get started.
Community Core Directors
Jacqueline Hoying
Community Core Director
Inga M. Zadvinskis
Community Core Assistant Director
Our community core is headed by directors Jacqueline Hoying, PhD, RN and Inga M. Zadvinskis, PhD, RN.