To address the growing problem of low health literacy levels and to help Houstonians access online, easy-to-ready and reliable health information in multiple languages, The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., the Houston Public Library and the Houston Department of Health and Human Services are launching four Wellness Information Zone Centers (WZ Centers) at libraries in the greater Houston area.
A new WZ Center, provided by The Humana Foundation, was unveiled today at Houston Public Library Central Library. The three other WZ Centers are available at Carnegie Neighborhood Library, HPL Express Southwest, and coming soon to the new Vinson Neighborhood Library, opening Fall 2009.
The new high-tech WZ Centers enable library customers to access free, accurate and timely health information in everyday language through an innovative Web site, www.wellzone.org. This health literacy Web site quickly connects individuals and their families to free, reliable health information with content written at a third- to sixth-grade level, including talking guides and multiple language options such as Spanish, Vietnamese and French.