Bridging the Digital Divide by Increasing Computer and Cancer Literacy: Community Technology Centers for Head-Start Parents and Families
Authors:
Peter Salovey a;
Pamela Williams-Piehota a;
Linda Mowad b;
Marta Elisa Moret c;
Denielle Edlund a;
Judith Andersen a
| Affiliations: | a Health, Emotion, and Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA |
| b New England Office, Cancer Information Service, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA | |
| c Urban Policy Strategies, LLC, New Haven, Connecticut, USA |
DOI:
10.1080/10810730902805804
Publication Frequency:
8 issues per year
Subject:
Communication Studies;
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Abstract
This article describes the establishment of two community technology centers affiliated with Head Start early childhood education programs focused especially on Latino and African American parents of children enrolled in Head Start. A 6-hour course concerned with computer and cancer literacy was presented to 120 parents and other community residents who earned a free, refurbished, Internet-ready computer after completing the program. Focus groups provided the basis for designing the structure and content of the course and modifying it during the project period. An outcomes-based assessment comparing program participants with 70 nonparticipants at baseline, immediately after the course ended, and 3 months later suggested that the program increased knowledge about computers and their use, knowledge about cancer and its prevention, and computer use including health information-seeking via the Internet. The creation of community computer technology centers requires the availability of secure space, capacity of a community partner to oversee project implementation, and resources of this partner to ensure sustainability beyond core funding.
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