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what is…
Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions.
We support our local, state and national programs, policies, strategic plans, and research activities related to health literacy.
From conferences, panels, to teaching lectures, we participate in all types of engagements to bring awareness to health literacy.
We provide on-and off-site courses in health literacy and patient communication safety practices.
We review and provide guidance on editing health documents to ensure every patient can understand what he or she is reading.
We partner with academic colleges, community organizations and government agencies to evaluate their health literacy environment and determine steps for improvement.
Our health literacy research and projects help to inform advocacy, speaking engagements and consultations. Additionally, our research and projects offer mixed-methods and interdisciplinary designs.
Only 12 percent of adults have proficient health literacy, according to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy.
Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality states, “9 out of 10 Americans may lack the knowledge and skills needed to manage their health and prevent disease.”
Low health literacy is estimated to cost the U.S. economy up to $236 billion every year.
J. Vernon, A. Trujillo, S. Rosenbaum, and B. DeBuono. Low Health Literacy: Implications for National Health Policy. University of Connecticut, 2007.