Article type
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Abstract
Background: There is so much health information freely available on the internet relevant to 'optimal aging' (staying healthy, active and engaged as we grow older), that it is difficult to know which messages are trust-worthy. The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal does the work for you: evaluating, summarizing and synthesizing aging research and resources to provide you with a one-stop shop for evidence-based information on healthy aging.
Objectives: The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal is a website dedicated to sharing evidence-based information about optimal aging and common health conditions with aging adults, their caregivers and health professionals. Funded by the Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative, the website was launched in October 2014.
Methods: Content is drawn from three best-in-class resources: MacPlus (a database of best evidence to support clinical decisions); Health Evidence (an online registry of quality-appraised systematic reviews evaluating public health interventions); and Health Systems Evidence (an online registry of evidence on how to strengthen or reform health systems). Star-ratings allow users to filter through masses of health information and research and easily identify the highest quality resources they need to make evidence-based decisions around optimal aging. Health professionals can access abstracts and summaries of the best scientific evidence on clinical, public health and health policy questions, including links to full-text articles. Blog posts, web resource ratings and evidence summaries provide quick and easy-to-read ‘bottom line’ messages appropriate for all audiences, particularly citizens. Tailored email alerts and @Mac_AgingNews updates deliver the latest research evidence on headline topics right into your hands.
Results and Conclusions: The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal gives citizens, health professionals, policy makers and researchers direct access to trusted, evidence-based information about optimal aging to help us remain healthy, active and engaged as long as possible.
Objectives: The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal is a website dedicated to sharing evidence-based information about optimal aging and common health conditions with aging adults, their caregivers and health professionals. Funded by the Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative, the website was launched in October 2014.
Methods: Content is drawn from three best-in-class resources: MacPlus (a database of best evidence to support clinical decisions); Health Evidence (an online registry of quality-appraised systematic reviews evaluating public health interventions); and Health Systems Evidence (an online registry of evidence on how to strengthen or reform health systems). Star-ratings allow users to filter through masses of health information and research and easily identify the highest quality resources they need to make evidence-based decisions around optimal aging. Health professionals can access abstracts and summaries of the best scientific evidence on clinical, public health and health policy questions, including links to full-text articles. Blog posts, web resource ratings and evidence summaries provide quick and easy-to-read ‘bottom line’ messages appropriate for all audiences, particularly citizens. Tailored email alerts and @Mac_AgingNews updates deliver the latest research evidence on headline topics right into your hands.
Results and Conclusions: The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal gives citizens, health professionals, policy makers and researchers direct access to trusted, evidence-based information about optimal aging to help us remain healthy, active and engaged as long as possible.