Healthy Literacy
Health Literacy is the ability to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions and follow instructions for treatment. A recent government study estimates that millions of American adults have limited health literacy skills.
- People from all ages, races, incomes and education levels are challenged by this problem.
- Individuals with limited health literacy incur medical expenses up to four times greater than patients with adequate literacy skills—this costs the health care system billions of dollars every year in unnecessary doctor visits and hospital stays.
- Most patients hide their confusion from their doctors because they are too ashamed and intimidated to ask for help, a fact that compounds the problem.
To become more aware of this issue and to learn what you can do to make a difference, explore the following video presentation given by Dr. Sandra Cornett of The Ohio State University, Clear Health Communication Program.
Viewers can download PowerPoint slides from the Resource tab and access individual slides in the presentation “thumbnails.” The video will jump to that part of the presentation.
8/28/2009
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