Ten Frequently Asked Questions about WiRED’s Health Learning Modules

BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW; EDITED BY BERNICE BORN

1. What are Health Learning Modules?

They are interactive learning courses that teach people without medical backgrounds about health and medical issues. These evidence-based and peer-reviewed modules are used for group presentations and for individual study.

2. How many topics are covered?

At present there are some 400 modules — covering a wide range of topics including water purification, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, childhood nutrition, and pregnancy complications.

3. How do I access these modules?

You can use them on line (http://www.wiredhealthresources.net/) or download them to your laptop (http://wiredinternational.org/WiREDHealthMAP.html)

4. How much does it cost to use this health learning material?

All material is free of charge. Period. Generous donors support WiRED’s non-profit work to make the learning modules free to everyone around the world. There are no financial barriers to use this material, allowing people in low-resource regions to have equal access to life-saving health training.

5. How are these modules created?

Doctors and other medical professionals write the modules. Medical editors review the material and create the Q&A. The modules are peer reviewed for accuracy and reliability.

6. What else should I know about the contents of these health modules?

They are based on the best learning theory. They present key concepts, then provide Q&A to reinforce those concepts, which helps users learn and remember the material. The evidence-based material follows standards set by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other recognized health authorities.

7. Where are these modules used?

These modules are used on every continent by non-governmental organizations, ministries of health, medical schools and other institutions whose mission is to advance community health.

8. Specifically, who uses them?

• Teachers who provide students with health information
• Community health workers who conduct presentations about illnesses, environment-related health, mother and child health, non-communicable diseases and more
• Health organizations focusing on a specific condition (e.g., diabetes, HIV/AIDS, mother and child health)
• Nongovernmental organizations providing small communities with health information
• Clinics and other health facilities that want to teach patients about illnesses
• Faith organizations that advance health among their audiences
• Individuals who wish to know more about a health topic in the news
• People with a family member, friend or neighbor who contracts an illness
• Anyone with a general curiosity about an illness

9. What extra features do the modules have?

Modules contain animations and quizzes. There is a final quiz at the end of each module to test your knowledge. This is especially useful and fun for groups of people studying a module together.

10. What if I want to know more about a health topic, say diabetes?

We often package modules into a series under a broad topic such as diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, mother and child health and infectious diseases. That way, you can learn more about a specific type of an illness.