Title: National Eye Institute Launches Healthy Vision Community Programs Database
Author:
Section/SPIG: Public Health Education and Health Promotion
Issue Date:
The National Eye Institute recently developed a Healthy Vision Community Programs Database. This new database is a searchable collection of community-based programs that contains information about eye health education programs from U.S. states and territories. People interested in eye health have often been able to find information about eye diseases and organizations and/or foundations that are dedicated to eye health, however, little information was known about community-level approaches at addressing eye health issues. The Healthy Vision Community Programs Database was designed and developed to meet the following objectives:
- Serve as a central location of community-based eye health education programs.
- Stimulate ideas for creative eye health education projects.
- Promote networking of groups and individuals concerned about eye health.
This database serves as a resource to help communities learn about new ways to address eye health issues and replicate eye health-related projects in their locale or region. It is intended to stimulate collaborative community health education initiatives by providing a vehicle to share invaluable information to its users. Projects can be searched for by state or territory, target audience, and eye disease or condition. This searchable online tool is designed for community-based entities to display, learn, and share overall program components of their eye health education activities. Each database entry includes a brief description of the project and contact information. Others seeking to start a similar project can contact the project contact person directly for more detailed information and to exchange ideas.
The database originated as a repository for all eye health education projects funded by NEI’s Healthy Vision Community Awards Program, a program designed to address Healthy People 2010’s Vision Objectives. Because various organizations beyond those funded by the community awards program are conducting eye health education in their communities, the NEI is inviting other community organizations to submit their projects for inclusion. All submissions will be reviewed by the NEI. In order to search the database or submit a project, please visit http://community-based.shs.net/.