Pocinki, Karen McCrory (author / Head, Health Education and Communications Cluster, Public Information Office, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1991
Published:
USA: Binghamton, N.Y. : Haworth Press
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 92 Document Number: C06771
AGRICOLA FNI 92002180, Most of the materials produced by the Public Information Office of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) are written for an older audience. However, the NIA and other groups that deal specifically with aging issues are not the only organizations that address the health information needs of older adults. Whether they realize it or not, most medical writers today communicate primarily with an audience of older people. A vital component of NIA'S mandate (Research on Aging Act, 1974) is to carry out public information and education programs to assist all Americans -- and especially older people -- in dealing with problems and understanding the processes associated with aging. To do this job effectively, NIA's medical writing staff must know as much as possible about the Institute's older constituents. Moreover, it is becoming equally important for everyone in health communication to understand the diverse groups of older adults, which account for a growing segment of the health information audience. (original)
