The Laboratory for Health Communications and Informatics encourages interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers and trainees regarding the emerging roles of communication and informatics in meeting Healthy People 2010 objectives. Advances in medical and consumer health informatics are changing the delivery of health information and services and are likely to have a growing impact on individual and community health. The ubiquitous networked communication infrastructure facilitates access to an increasing array of health information and health-related support services and extends the reach of health communication efforts. Compared to traditional communication methods, interactive communication may have several advantages that are just beginning to be explored. Interactive health communication technologies are being used to: Facilitate informed decision-making Promote health behaviors Enhance peer information exchange and emotional support Promote self-care Manage demand for health services Support point of care preventive services Facilitate informed decision-making Promote health behaviors Enhance peer information exchange and emotional support Promote self-care Manage demand for health services Support point of care preventive services Training of health professionals in the science of communication and the use of communication technologies Evaluation of interventions Promotion of a critical understanding and practice of effective health communication Web Resources A national health information infrastructure (NHII) provides a framework that stakeholders can use to communicate with each other and to transform data into useful information on multiple levels. Added October 20, 2002 The National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) is advising the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Congress on the health information needs of the country. The NCVHS defines NHII as all of the technologies, standards, applications, systems, values, and laws that support individual health, health care, and public health. Added October 20, 2002 The Science Panel on Interactive Communication and Health (SCIPICH) is an independent body convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), The Panel is no longer active, however the site can help you learn about, evaluate, and select interactive health communication applications. Includes publications such as "Wired for Health and Well-Being: The Emergence of Interactive Health and Communication" and "An Evidence-Based Approach to Interactive Health Communication: A Challenge to Medicine in the Information Age." Added October 20, 2002 The Risk Communication Bibliography, managed by the National Cancer Institute (U.S) contains nearly 400 references to published documents that address the communication of public health hazards. Included documents address the risks, prevention, and treatments of health hazards. The citations and summaries in the Risk Communication Bibliography are a good starting point for effectively measuring how risks are communicated to and understood by the public. Added October 20, 2002. The Usability Website, managed by the National Cancer Institute (U.S) provides developers guidance on ways to measure of the quality of a user's experience when interacting with a product or system — whether a Web site, a software application, mobile technology, or any user-operated device. The Pew Internet & American Life Project funds research that explores the impact of the Internet on children, families, communities, the work place, schools, health care, and civic/political life.