Wellzone.org and WZ Center collaboration with Houston Public Library, Houston Department of Health & Human Services and The Humana Foundation brings health information in easy-to-read, multiple language options to Houston community

To address the growing problem of low health-literacy levels and to help Houstonians access online, easy-to-read and reliable health information in multiple languages, The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), the Houston Public Library and the Houston Department of Health and Human Services launched four Wellness Information Zone Centers (WZ Centers) at libraries in the greater Houston area.

A new WZ Center, provided by The Humana Foundation, was unveiled today at Houston Public Library Central Library. The three other WZ Centers are located at Carnegie Neighborhood Library, HPL Express Southwest and the new Vinson Neighborhood Library.

The new high-tech WZ Centers enable library patrons to access free, accurate and timely health information in everyday language through an innovative Web site, wellzone.org. This health literacy Web site quickly connects individuals and their families to free, reliable health information with content written at a third- to sixth-grade level, including talking guides and multiple language options such as Spanish, Vietnamese and French.

“The Humana Foundation’s Wellness Information Zone Centers will go a long way toward improving health literacy in Houston,” said Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director, Houston Public Library. “The WZ Centers and wellzone.org address the critical need of giving our residents a means of researching illnesses and other health-related issues.”

Navigation is easy with four main areas of content: (1) diseases and medicines, (2) tests and treatments, (3) health and safety tips for all ages, and (4) links to local resources, such as health facilities and government programs.

“Research shows that low health literacy is the strongest predictor of health problems, more than age, income, employment status or race,” said Virginia K. Judd, executive director of The Humana Foundation. “By addressing this critical problem, we hope to positively impact the health of the Houston community.”

Today, in addition to the four WZ Center locations in Houston, there are WZ Centers in five Atlanta libraries and three Atlanta health department locations.