Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40714246›Full record

ArticlePublic health2025

Social context for health literacy: Public libraries as health hubs.

Asih Asikin-Garmager, Brittney Thomas, Diana Brace, Kirsten Crowhurst, Hannah Sinemus, Nesibe Karakis, Stefania Acosta Ramirez, Sharon Han, Laura Bartlett

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Asih Asikin-GarmagerNNLM All of Us Program Center, Center for Evaluation and Assessment, N481 Lindquist Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. Electronic address: asih-asikin@uiowa.edu.
Brittney ThomasNNLM All of Us Program Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. Electronic address: brittney-thomas@uiowa.edu.
Diana BraceNNLM All of Us Program Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. Electronic address: diana-brace@uiowa.edu.
Kirsten CrowhurstNNLM All of Us Program Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA. Electronic address: kic27@pitt.edu.
Hannah SinemusNNLM All of Us Program Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA. Electronic address: hls47@pitt.edu.
Nesibe KarakisNNLM All of Us Program Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. Electronic address: nesibe-karakis@uiowa.edu.
Stefania Acosta RamirezNNLM All of Us Program Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. Electronic address: stefania-acostaramirez@uiowa.edu.
Sharon HanNNLM All of Us Program Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Laura BartlettNational Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA. Electronic address: Laura.Bartlett@nih.gov.

Funding

NNLM All of Us Program CenterU24LM014070 · NLM · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI BARGER, RENAE E, WALTON, LINDA J · 2022 to 2024
$12.2M
NLM NIH HHS U24 LM014070
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesPublic libraries are a vital source of health information in their communities. The study expands on social context literature to include public libraries as integral to communities' health literacy development. To support public libraries as community health hubs, the NNLM All of Us Program Center (NAPC) funded projects to strengthen public libraries' capacity to provide accurate and timely health literacy resources and training. STUDY

designDocument analysis of grant application and activity report submissions from NAPC-funded organizations.

methodsThe study focused on projects that were led by or involved public libraries to understand libraries' role in social contexts for health literacy. The applications and reports were analyzed for health literacy components and intended demographics.

resultsFindings show diverse strategies implemented by funded libraries and community organizations to strengthen their communities' health literacy, both at the individual and organizational level. Strategies included supporting capacity building and library infrastructure through professional development and purchase of technology, increasing free health activities relevant to community needs, and hosting health fairs that bring community healthcare partners together for library users.

conclusionOverall, the study highlights the potential transformative role of public libraries in closing health literacy gaps within communities. It provides evidence that libraries are part of the social context that develops health literacy education and that libraries can serve as vital public health allies by utilizing institutional resources, professional training, and strategic partnerships.

Indexed as

Community ResourcesHealth LiteracyLibrariesLibrary ServicesSocial EnvironmentCapacity BuildingHumansHealth literacyPublic librarySocial context

Identifiers

PMID40714246
PMCPMC12366801

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.