Healthfinder En Espaņol: Promoting Health Equity In Spanish-Speaking Populations

Background: healthfinder.gov is a user-tested federal Web site, written in plain language and based on health literacy principles, whose mission is to help the public make informed health decisions by providing accurate, timely, and actionable information. Consumer studies, interviews, and usability tests informed the Spanish Web site and provided a strong research base for clear communication practices to users who are less Web savvy and who may have low health literacy.

Program background: healthfinder en español was launched during Hispanic Heritage Month in October 2011 to increase the reach of the wellness guidance, actionable information, and personalized, interactive decision support on the site to the Spanish-speaking community. By providing the Quick Guide to Healthy Living – Tu guia de salud – and myhealthfinder – miBuscador de salud – as well as additional features like health resources and health news – Recursos de salud, Noticias de salud, and the clinic locator tool Busca una clinica cerca de ti – healthfinder en español helps the Spanish-speaking community to make informed decisions about prevention and wellness services and information.

Evaluation Methods and Results: In addition to the transcreated Web site, ODPHP also planned a comprehensive outreach strategy to complement the information on the site which included leveraging current communications channels, vested stakeholders and outreach resources. The reach of the site continues to grow, with more than 100,000 visits since the launch in October.

Conclusions: This Web site serves as an ongoing case study on how to effectively reach the Spanish-speaking population, with both web information and online outreach, and to engage them with accessible and tailored prevention and wellness information.

Implications for research and/or practice: The launch of healthfinder.gov en español helps to address the important health issues of Spanish-speaking Americans and promote the reduction of health disparities in this underserved population.