Exploring lexical forms: first-generation consumer health vocabularies.

The Consumer Health Vocabulary Initiative (http://consumerhealthvocab.org/) is a multi-disciplinary effort to facilitate the research and development of consumer health vocabularies (CHVs). We are currently investigating different types of lexical forms used in lay expressions (i.e. words and phrases): consumer-friendly display forms, consumer forms that have different semantics in professional and lay contexts and consumer forms not covered by professional health terminologies. The next step will address lay and professional conceptual differences in second-generation CHVs.