Presentation for Health Care Providers: Presentation for Health Care Providers Your Name Organization Date


Presentation Highlights: Presentation Highlights The Scope of Adult Literacy Globally and in the US The 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy The NAAL Health Literacy Report Tips and Techniques for Health Care Providers Resources


Global Adult Literacy: Global Adult Literacy The UN defines illiteracy as having no reading and writing skills at all UNESCO estimates more than 770 million adults are illiterate Two-thirds of illiterate adults are women UN Decade of Literacy: Cut illiteracy in half by 2015


What is the 2003 NAAL?: What is the 2003 NAAL? The 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) was the first examination of the literacy skills of America’s adults in more than a decade It was a nationally representative household survey of more than 17,000 adults, including adults in prison


NAAL Dimensions of Literacy: NAAL Dimensions of Literacy Prose Document Quantitative Definition: Using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve goals, and to develop knowledge and potential. Dimensions:


2003 NAAL Key Findings: 2003 NAAL Key Findings 11 million adults are Non-literate in English 30 million adults have Below Basic Literacy skills 63 million adults have Basic Literacy skills


NAAL Report on Health Literacy: NAAL Report on Health Literacy Definition: The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health literacy information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. ?


AMA Definition of Health Literacy: AMA Definition of Health Literacy Definition: The ability to read and comprehend prescription bottles, appointment slips and other essential health-related materials required to successfully function as a patient.


Health Literacy Skills: Health Literacy Skills


Health Literacy by Gender: Health Literacy by Gender More men (16%) than women (12%) had Below Basic or Basic Literacy Skills Less men (51%) than women (55%) had Intermediate literacy skills Men had lower average health literacy scores (242) than women (248)


Health Literacy Skills of Older Americans: Health Literacy Skills of Older Americans Adults aged 65+ had the lowest average health literacy scores More Americans aged 65+ had Below Basic or Basic Skills than any other age group (29 + 30%) Adults with Medicare and Medicaid or no health insurance had the lowest average health literacy scores


Health Condition Self-Assessment: Health Condition Self-Assessment


Characteristics of Population with Low Health Literacy Skills: Characteristics of Population with Low Health Literacy Skills


Source of Health Information: Source of Health Information A higher percent of adults with Below Basic or Basic literacy skills cited radio and television as their primary source of health information.


Sources of Information: Professionals: Sources of Information: Professionals


Sources of Information: People: Sources of Information: People


Sources of Information: Print: Sources of Information: Print


Sources of Information: The Net: Sources of Information: The Net


Sources of Information: Airwaves: Sources of Information: Airwaves


Identify Helpful Sources of Information: Identify Helpful Sources of Information What is this? 'A widely used analgesic, antipyretic, and antiinflammatory agent; also used as an antiplatelet agent. Although a generic in the U.S., it remains a proprietary name in other countries.' www.webmd.com


Other Factors Affecting Patient Provider Communication: Other Factors Affecting Patient Provider Communication Additional factors that may hinder understanding: Intimidation, fear, vulnerability Shock upon hearing a diagnosis Extenuating stress within the patient's family Multiple health conditions to understand and treat


What Can Providers Do?: What Can Providers Do? Create a safe environment where patients feel comfortable talking openly with you Use plain language instead of technical language or medical jargon Sit down (instead of standing) to achieve eye level with your patient Use visual models to illustrate a procedure or condition Ask patients to 'teach back' the care instructions you give to them From 'Askme3.org


Slide23:


Avoid Jargon: Avoid Jargon 'Hypertension' vs 'High Blood Pressure' 'Fatigue' vs 'Tired' 'Acetaminophen' vs 'Tylenol' 'Febrile' vs 'Fever' 'Myopathy' vs 'Muscle Aches'


Clear Communication: Clear Communication 'What is clear to you is clear to you. Every patient should be a full partner in his or her medical decisions. This requires crystal-clear communication that is done with compassion and mutual respect.' ~~ Toni Cordell, former adult literacy student and health literacy advocate


Why Should You Care?: Why Should You Care? Limited Literacy Results in Poor Health Outcomes: Increased Hospitalization Less Frequent Screening High Rates of Disease and Mortality Increased Use of Emergency Rooms for Routine Care


Become An Advocate!: Become An Advocate! Americans spend more money on premium label ice cream each year than on adult basic education and literacy programs!


www.proliteracy.org: www.proliteracy.org


Sample Policy Alert: Sample Policy Alert Please contact your Senator if she or he is a Member of the Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Who: Contact your Senator if she or he is listed below (Contact information: www.senate.gov) What: Ask him or her to support an increase in appropriations from the current funding level of $570 million to $750 million. Why: So that more local literacy programs can access federal and state funding and more adult literacy students can improve their literacy skills. When: Monday June 18 Please see attached file for sample talking points.


Adult Literacy Resources: Adult Literacy Resources www.proliteracy.org www.wisconsinliteracy.org www.unesco.org www.national-coalition-literacy.org/naal www.nces.ed.gov/naal www.ncsall.net www.nifl.gov/nifl/facts/health


Health Literacy Resources: Health Literacy Resources www.askme3.org http://www.cdc.gov/az/a.html www.healthliteracy.worlded.org/index www.hsph.harvard.edu/healthliteracy/ www.jointcommission.org www.rwjf.org


New! From New Readers Press: New! From New Readers Press


Committee on Health Literacy of the Institute of Medicine, 2004: Committee on Health Literacy of the Institute of Medicine, 2004 Health Literacy is of concern to everyone involved in health promotion and protection, disease prevention and early screening, health care maintenance,and policy making.


And Remember…: And Remember…