Open AccessLocalizing chronic disease management: Information work and health translations
Author(s) -
Kaziunas Elizabeth,
Ackerman Mark S.,
Veinot Tiffany C.E.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
proceedings of the american society for information science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8390
pISSN - 0044-7870
DOI - 10.1002/meet.14505001090
Subject(s) - distrust , context (archaeology) , work (physics) , disease , poverty , kidney disease , medicine , psychology , public relations , gerontology , political science , engineering , pathology , history , mechanical engineering , archaeology , law , psychotherapist
Based on interviews with people who had diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease in Flint, Michigan, we found people actively doing information work to manage their health in the face of poverty, potentially violent conditions, high stress, and a distrust of institutionalized medicine. More specifically, we observed people translating information into the context of their everyday lives. We present various translations of health information in the form of local strategies for chronic illness management. Study findings highlight initial implications to support health information services on a community level.