ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the use of telematic services in health promotion and medical care, another major concern is public participation in health care decision making. Electronic town meetings permit simultaneous dialogue between large numbers of people in different locations. They work by combining a live television broadcast with feedback from a pre-selected scientific sample of citizens. Cable television services are principally concerned with delivering mass entertainment to audiences in homes and communities. Local cable programming is unique because it is created by the people of each community, and reflects that area's distinct character and diversity. Colour video equipment became available at reasonable cost, with greatly enhanced performance. The mayor of Reading recognized this when planning permission for installing cable TV was sought in the 1960s; he agreed to it on the condition that some channels would be dedicated to community use.
