iCON (InterCultural Online Health Network) is an eHealth Strategy Office research initiative that embodies excellence in innovation, evaluation and translation of best practices in health care.
Purpose
iCON is a community engagement initiative that brings together health practitioners and community members to learn and share about chronic disease prevention and management, including diabetes, heart disease, and mental wellness.
Overview
iCON has hosted 13 public health forums with Chinese- and Punjabi-speaking communities across British Columbia to provide language appropriate health information. Health professionals including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and nutritionists from these communities have provided health education in ways that respect the communities’ different cultures and needs. Over 7,500 people have attended these events live, with another 1,200 viewing webcasts of these events.
iCON is now beginning to partner with First Nations communities in BC to deliver health information in a way that serves the communities and respects Aboriginal values.
The iCON project is built on the belief that relevant health information will:
- Empower people;
- Positively affect people’s outlooks on their own health and the health of their community;
- Improve the ability of patients to participate in their health care;
- Increase usability of the internet for health improvement by displaying information in a familiar language and context, and using culturally relevant medicine where possible and appropriate; and
- Lead to improved health outcomes for patients over time.
Contact
For more information, please email Betsy Leimbigler at betsy.leimbigler@ubc.ca, or visit www.iconproject.org
