The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that health literacy refers to how well a person can get the health information and services that they need, and how well they understand them. It is also about using that information to make good health decisions. If these skills are not present or information is difficult to understand, preventable harm can occur leading to poor health outcomes. People may have trouble managing chronic diseases and leading a healthy lifestyle. They may go to the hospital more often and have poorer health overall.

This networking session will empower health professionals with tools to serve the population with whom they work. After a brief opening overview of health literacy, skills and topics addressed in the breakout rooms will include:

1. Access to information that they can understand – What About Mom?
2. Controlling chronic conditions, accessing community resources, connecting health outcomes and lifestyle, communicating with health care and other service providers – Asthma 411
3. Knowledge of medical words, and seeking of credible information – WLL for Teens
4. Abilities, such as physical or mental limitations – WLL for Elderly
5. Personal factors, such as age, education, language abilities, and culture – CLAS Standards