October is Health Literacy Month!

By Paige Hammond

Taking your prescriptions in the morning, talking to your doctor, caring for family members, and reading medical information online… Each of these situations has something in common: they involve health literacy. 

Many of the choices we make regarding our health are directly influenced by health literacy. And when thinking of our health equity goals, most, if not all, will involve health literacy in some way. Thus, health literacy is a critical topic, and conversations regarding improving health literacy should occur across multiple sectors to facilitate change. ​

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According to the National Library of Medicine, high literacy skills don’t necessarily equate to high health literacy skills. The struggle with health literacy affects nearly 9 of 10 adults (1). Specifically, lower health literacy levels disproportionately affect socially disadvantaged populations such as: 

• Individuals living with disabilities 
• Individuals with limited English proficiency 
• People with lower socioeconomic status
• Older adults 
• Individuals with lower education levels 
• Racial/ethnic minoritized groups (2)

There are several consequences of limited health literacy. Not only can it create health challenges, but it can also contribute to health inequities and additional economic costs.  Some examples include barriers to accessing health services, and a higher number of hospital visits, longer hospital stays, and more visits to healthcare providers (3). Running into these kinds of issues may stem from experiencing difficulty with reading and understanding prescription labels, following medical instructions and recommendations, and general decision-making regarding one’s health (4). 

So, what can health professionals do to improve health literacy? 

First, public health professionals may find it helpful to refer to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion's National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy. Some highlights of this plan include the use of evidence-based health literacy practices and interventions, and making sure that their communications include accurate, accessible, and actionable health information (5). 
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If instead you are a healthcare provider, it is important to make sure that patients feel welcomed (6). Patients should never feel ashamed to ask for help, and assistance should be always readily available. Staff should be trained in health literacy to prepare for any questions or issues. And of course, health literacy expands beyond just the physical office. Thus, online portals and tele-health visits should also be easy to navigate and understand.  

When communicating health information, it is also important to strongly consider the needs of populations that live with disadvantage or limited resources. For example, it is normal for older adults to experience changes in cognition, and there are steps that can be taken to curb these effects by improving health literacy. Organizations or individuals who work with older adults can employ a number of interactive methods to connect with this population, such as using plain language, incorporating skill-building activities when teaching health-related information, emphasizing directions, repeating important information, and using reminders to jog their memory (7).
Several policy efforts have been made to improve health literacy, such as the aforementioned National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, the Plain Writing Act of 2010, and several Healthy People 2030 objectives (8). This Health Literacy Month, be sure to stay up to date with legislation on health literacy, and advocate for using plain language and other strategies that can help the general population better access, process, and apply health information to their daily lives.​ 

References

1. National Library of Medicine. An Introduction to Health Literacy. https://www.nnlm.gov/guides/intro-health-literacy 
2. Schillinger D. (2021). Social Determinants, Health Literacy, and Disparities: Intersections and Controversies. Health literacy research and practice, 5(3), e234–e243. https://doi.org/10.3928/24748307-20210712-01 
3. Egbert, N., & Nanna, K. (2009). Health literacy: Challenges and strategies. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3912/ojin.vol14no03man01  
4. Shahid, R., Shoker, M., Chu, L. M., Frehlick, R., Ward, H., & Pahwa, P. (2022). Impact of low health literacy on patients’ health outcomes: A multicenter cohort study. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08527-9 
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2010). National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy. https://odphp.health.gov/our-work/national-health-initiatives/health-literacy/national-action-plan-improve-health-literacy 
6. Seidel, E., Cortes, T., & Chong, C. (2023). PSNet. Strategies to Improve Organizational Health Literacy. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/strategies-improve-organizational-health-literacy 
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Challenges affecting health literacy of older adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/health-literacy/php/older-adults/understanding-challenges.html 
8. Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc. (2013). CHCS Fact Sheet. https://www.chcs.org/media/Health_Literacy_and_Policy.pdf 

Image Credit
Pexels, cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-white-dress-shirt-sitting-at-the-table-7578803/ 

​Author’s Bio
Paige Hammond is the Freelance Project Coordinator for Health Equity Initiative. She recently graduated with a dual degree in Public Health and Communication Studies from The College of New Jersey.