title: The state of consumer health information: an overview.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Consumer health information is becoming increasingly important and health policy in the UK is beginning to reflect this. This has implications for information producers, providers and users, with the move towards a more patient-centred health service.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review aims to provide a broad overview of the current state of consumer health information in the UK. It examines the changing roles of information producers, providers and users, exploring the impact of health literacy and new technologies. It features some of the current library and consumer health information projects taking place in the UK and discusses the role that libraries may play in the future.
  
  
  METHODS
  The article focuses on consumer health information in a policy context. It is based on the experiences of the authors' work for the Patient Information Forum and knowledge of consumer health information. A number of library and information professionals were consulted regarding the library and information projects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Communication between health professionals and patients, and between health educators and the public, is key in order for consumer health information to have the ability to improve health outcomes. Further, especially local, investment into the production, distribution and delivery of consumer health information is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Patient Information Forum, UK. operations@pifonline.org.uk
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duman
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D040241:Social Marketing