Health literacy for all- an investigation into consortia and partnership amongst libraries to promote health care information in India

In this paper efforts have been made to analyze the present state of health information literacy in India. Health literacy is an empowerment strategy to increase people’s control over their health, their ability to seek out information and their ability to take decision. Quality information and the understanding of the information are essential for the development of health literacy. The author discusses healthcare divide in India- high-quality medical care is made available to elite-class Indians and the India in which the majority of the population have limited or no access to medical care. It is proposed that through awareness and use of digital technology health related information must be widely available and effectively used through Public libraries- the people oriented institutions. Today’s thrust is the use of distance learning models/e-learning to provide health information to empower the unprivileged populations. Various projects and initiatives undertaken by government as well as NGO’s to spread preventive health care information are highlighted.