Health promotion directory: development, distribution, and utilization

In response to repeated questions from older adults in the community about health resources, a health promotion directory was created. To enhance the development and distribution of the directory, the authors reviewed the literature and received input from unpaid consultants--both health professionals and a diverse group of older adults. To assess the utilization of the directory, the authors obtained a purposive sample, comparing 43 African American older adults, with low income and educational levels, with 118 mostly Anglo American (96%) older adults with a higher educational level. The African American group members were significantly more likely to contact one of the resources listed in the health directory. This may be due to a variety of factors, including the increased contact time that the authors had spent with these older adults or the greater need that older adults with low income and education levels may have for the information in the directory.