Literacy?
Health information can be confusing for anyone, regardless of one’s ability to read and process information. Add to this the increased stress of many health care visits, the confusion of frequently used medical terminology, and the social and cultural differences that overlay many relationships, and it’s difficult to imagine clear communication in any health care situation.
Health Literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions (Healthy People 2010). Simply put, these are the skills needed to understand and make informed decisions regarding our health - the basics of good health care.
According to the Institute of Medicine Report on Health Literacy, 90 million people have difficulty understanding and using health information, and studies show that people from all ages, races, incomes and education levels face this challenge.
Low health literacy is common and often overlooked, and its impact on the community is significant. It is estimated that limited health literacy costs the health care system up to $73 billion annually in unnecessary health care visits and hospital stays (Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management, 2009 Jan 15(1)20-29). Individuals challenged with literacy are more likely to have problems taking medications, keeping appointments, following discharge instructions, completing necessary paperwork and understanding health education materials.
While these barriers make effective health communication more difficult, there are many strategies that can help overcome them. Our aim is to provide a sampling of tools to help you better communicate with your provider or as a provider.
An excellent article that underscores the importance of health literacy in our health care system is "Do You Know What Your Doctor is Talking About" by Pauline W. Chen, MD, published in the New York Times on April 2, 2009.
