Health Professional's Introductory Tour to Media Literacy Welcome to the growing field of media literacy education, especially as it relates to health issues.

Our health - both individual and public - is subject to significant influence by media messages. Advertising would like us to believe that any health condition could be improved if we simply purchased a product or took a pill. Americans might not be so overweight if it weren't for the lure of the couch and remote control, combined with TV's daily onslaught of media messages telling us to eat and drink ourselves happy.

But, kids (and adults) love media! You can help them become critical viewers and thinkers about health-related media messages, and help them learn how to manage their media consumption so it doesn't interfere with recreational activities and family time. The work is fun and interesting, and a huge amount of easy-to-use material is available to help you.

Begin with these steps. You don't have to do them in order, nor all at once. We give you an estimate of how much time you might spend on each. Just start now, come back often, and sign up for our Email news of additions to this site and other media literacy news and notices.

	(5-10 minutes) Familiarize yourself with the varying definitions of  “What is media literacy? ”
	(15-30 minutes) Visit our pages for Health & Behavior and Teaching Media Literacy in Health and Life Skills classes (new windows will open). From there, briefly visit some of the major sites in the media literacy education field. You'll be amazed at how much there is to help you.
	(5 minutes) Check out the different professional organizations for media educators. ACME has a more activist approach toward media and health issues; AMLA members tend to be more K-12 educators but also includes many media/health advocates.
	(5 minutes) Considering joining a listserv (email discussion group), particularly the Media-L list.
	(5 minutes) Scan the conference calendar to see what may be in your area. Too far away or not until next year? Sign up to receive notices of learning events sponsored by MediaLiteracy.com.
	(The rest of your life) Promote media literacy to your students, clients or patients -- both young people and adults. Your work will give them life-changing skills for making healthier choices for themselves and their families.

Start now, and let us know if there's anything we can do to help you.