Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id KAA19015; Mon, 28 Feb 2000 10:32:22 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 10:32:22 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <v04011700b4e042dc22a5@[170.140.250.201]> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Mark V. Williams, MD" <mwillia@emory.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2236] Re: It's a control issue X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Status: OR The "costs" of inadequate health literacy come from the results of a study (commissioned by Pfizer) by the National Academy on an Aging Society. The title of their report is "New Estimates of the Costs of Inadequate Health Literacy." They presented the preliminary report of their findings was presented at the 1998 Pfizer Health Literacy Conference. I suspect that the Academy or Pfizer would be the best source for a copy of this report. I hope this helps. Take care, Mark >Marsha L. Tait writes: >" Unfortunately, we do not have any information about how Dr. Parker >came up with her estimate [re cost of low literacy to the system] > The example of the patient in ICU because of misunderstood dietary >instructions about bananas illustrates the kind of problems that >result when adults do not have sufficient literacy skills to follow >preventive as well as prescriptive medical instructions. The >inability to understand preventive care, to follow dosage >instructions for medication, to comply with health insurance >procedures, and to participate actively in treatment can all lead to >otherwise preventable medical complications, and expensive emergency >room care." > >Some of the problem is patient's low literacy-- we could get medical >for a minute and call this hypoliteracy, a condition that leaves >patients unable to understand instructions, labels, warnings and >such. AND some of the problem is hyperliteracy, a condition of >extremely developed literacy skills that leaves professionals unable >to deliver instructions in a way that regular citizens can use them. >Improving patients' literacy skills is one way to go, but that will >not solve the whole problem. We must also look at ourselves and our >communications. The sender is responsible for the message. SS ************************************************************** Mark V. Williams, MD Associate Professor of Medicine Associate Director, Division of General Medicine Director, Inpatient Physicians Emory University School of Medicine Director, Center for Clinical Effectiveness Grady Health System 69 Butler Street, SE Atlanta, GA 30303 404-616-5287 FAX: 404-616-0747
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