"Many Americans Have Poor Health Literacy"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/28/AR2011022805
957.html?wprss=rss_health

Kansas Health Literacy Resources

The University of Kansas Medical Center's A.R. Dykes Library of Health Sciences has provided us with a list of links to quality health literacy sources. You can access this list by visiting:

http://www.delicious.com/rbrown3/bundle:Health_Literacy

Health Literacy Work in Other States

There are many states working on the issue of health literacy. Here are some of the websites we suggest visiting for the best information about health literacy:

Health Literacy Missouri
http://www.healthliteracymissouri.org/

New York University
http://helpix.med.nyu.edu/

We will continue to add to this list as we find more states working on the issue.

Weren't You Listening?

Effective Communication between Patients and Practitioners

Who asks this question? The patient who leaves the office feeling his concerns weren’t addressed or the practitioner who discovers her instructions on care weren’t followed? Of course the answer is at times both. And the result of either person not listening can be serious, even life threatening.

Why does this happen? More and more people are beginning to label this issue as a “health literacy” problem, and not without data to support the concern. Only 12% of American adults are considered to be proficient (advanced skill and understanding) in health literacy (National Assessment of Adult Health Literacy 2003). And, the largest study to date (Williams MV, Parker RM, Baker DW, et al. Inadequate Functional Health Literacy Among Patients at Two Public Hospitals. JAMA 1995 Dec 6; 274(21):1,677–82) found:
· 33% Americans were unable to read basic health care information
· 42% could not understand directions for taking medicine on an empty stomach
· 26% were not able to understand the information on an appointment slip
· 60% did not understand a standard consent form

So what is “health literacy” really? While there are several definitions, one most widely used is the definition from Healthy People 2010 which says, “ the ability to obtain, process, and understand health information and services to make appropriate health decisions”. Another way to say this is simply “good two-way communication”.

What is being done about it? For the last few years several local, state and national organizations have begun to address this issue. The National Action Plan to improve health literacy includes seven goals that will improve health literacy (http://www.health.gov/communication/HLActionPlan/)

1. Develop and disseminate health and safety information that is accurate, accessible, and actionable
2. Promote changes in the health care system that improve health information, communication, informed decision-making, and access to health services
3. Incorporate accurate, standards-based, and developmentally appropriate health and science information and curricula in child care and education through the university level
4. Support and expand local efforts to provide adult education, English language instruction, and culturally and linguistically appropriate health information services in the community
5. Build partnerships, develop guidance, and change policies
6. Increase basic research and the development, implementation, and evaluation of practices and interventions to improve health literacy
7. Increase the dissemination and use of evidence-based health literacy practices and interventions

Governor Parkinson has designated October as “Health Literacy Kansas Month,” noting that health literacy is a “key to the success of any reforms in our health care system.” Meanwhile, our sister state, Missouri, has a great Health Literacy resource library (http://www.healthliteracymissouri.org/library/) where you can find a wealth of helpful information.

What can I do? Becoming aware of the issue is the first step and becoming better informed about it is the second. The recently formed Kansas Health Literacy Council(http://kshealthlit.blogspot.com/) has focused on a health literacy program for parents of young children and is exploring ways to engage a variety of stakeholders in addressing health literacy. Our goal is for Kansans to have a stronger voice in addressing this important issue as a foundation for better health in our state.

October is Health Literacy Kansas Month

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson has designated October as Health Literacy Awareness Month in Kansas. The proclomation states:

WHEREAS, health literacy is the degree to which people are able to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services; and

WHEREAS, the health care system, including prescription directions, insurance forms, education materials, informed consent documents, and other printed and verbal information is complex and confusing to most people; and

WHEREAS, adults with limited or low health literacy have less knowledge of disease management and health promoting behaviors, report poor health status, are less likely to use preventive services and have a 30 to 70 percent increased risk of hospitalization; and

WHEREAS, at least one-third of all Kansas adults have difficulty reading and understanding basic health information;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released a National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy nationwide; and

WHEREAS, the National Action Plan lays out seven primary goals for action, and calls on the states to respond; and

WHEREAS, the Kansas Health Literacy Advisory Council, representing state agencies, health providers and other statewide organizations concerned about health literacy; and

WHEREAS, increasing Kansans understanding of basic health care will have a positive effect on access, utilization, cost reduction, provider-patient interactions and ultimately our individual health; and

WHEREAS, health literacy is a key to the success of any reforms in our health care system.

NOW THEREFORE, I, MARK PARKINSON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Kansas do hereby designate October 2010 as

Health Literacy Kansas Month

What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick - Vision, Goals and Approach

Vision: All parents will have the knowledge to make appropriate choices about their children's health care for minor illness and injury, resulting in healthier children, better resource utilization and decreased costs.

Goals:
~Professionals working with families understand the impact of low health literacy in health care.
~Professionals use research-based methods to teach parents how to use the book What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick. Outreach efforts to parents of children enrolled in Medicaid and HealthWave will be a priority.
~Parents attend the class, receive the book and then use it to help make appropriate choices about their children's health care.

Approach:
~Professionals attend a workshop on health literacy and teaching methods.
~Professionals teach parents how to use the book in one-on-one, small or large group settings.

What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick - An Overview

Kansas Health Literacy Council endorses the use of What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick. A book that covers the management of more than 50 common illnesses, injuries, and health problems. It is written in an easy-to-read language for parents and caregivers of children from birth to eight years of age. Over 6,000 Kansas parents have been educated on how to use the book effectively, resulting in significant reductions in unnecessary doctor and emergency room visits.

National research* has shown that, when parents are given the book, and trained on its usage, it helps:
~parents manage their children's care
~decrease non-emergent use of the ER,
~decrease the number of days children miss school and parents miss work.

What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick is available in several different languages.

*Kansas Head Start Association, Health Care Institue Results, July 2007