[NIFL-HEALTH:2535] RE: Definition of "Health Literacy"

From: Sandra Smith (sandras@u.washington.edu)
Date: Tue Aug 22 2000 - 20:49:09 EDT


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From: "Sandra Smith" <sandras@u.washington.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2535] RE: Definition of "Health Literacy"
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" the ability to understand instructions on prescription drug bottles,
appointment slips, medical education brochures, doctor's directions and
consent forms"

Do you think this definition of health literacy "blames the victim" ? To me,
it seems that patients' ability to understand brochures, directions and
consent forms says more about the quality of content and materials than
about the patients' literacy. SS
Sandra Smith, MPH, CHES
Health Education Specialist
University of Washington
Center for Health Education & Research
Clinical Instructor, Health Services Dept
Editor, 	Beginnings: A Practical Guide through Pregnancy
Editor, http://www.PrenatalEd.com

Mailing Address:
2821 2nd Ave #1601
Seattle WA 98121
206-441-7046
sandras@u.washington.edu

 

-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-health@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-health@nifl.gov]On Behalf Of
Mark V. Williams, MD
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 2:37 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2534] RE: Definition of "Health Literacy"


A number of definitions have been proposed.

The Ad Hoc Committee on Health Literacy for the Council on Scientific
Affairs, American Medical Association defined an individual's functional
health literacy as "the ability to read and comprehend prescription bottles,
appointment slips, and the other essential health-related materials required
to successfully function as a patient".

Health Literacy is defined by the National Health Education Standards (Joint
Committee on National Health Education Standards, 1995) as "the capacity of
an individual to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information
and services and the competence to use such information and services in ways
which are health-enhancing." This includes the ability to understand
instructions on prescription drug bottles, appointment slips, medical
education brochures, doctor's directions and consent forms, and the ability
to negotiate complex health care systems. Health literacy is not simply the
ability to read. Health literacy requires a complex group of reading,
listening, analytical, and decision-making skills and the ability to apply
these skills to health situations. Literacy varies by context and setting
and is not necessarily related to years of education or general reading
ability. A person who functions adequately at home or work may have marginal
or inadequate literacy in a health care environment.

A constellation of reading and numeracy skills required to function in the
health care environment makes up functional health literacy.
This includes:
Reading prescription bottles
Figuring out appointment slips
Understanding informed consents
Understanding discharge instructions
Following diagnostic test instructions
Reading health education materials
Completing health insurance applications

Finally, another simpler definition for health literacy is--the ability to
use reading, writing, and computational skills at a level adequate to
funtion in the health care setting.

Hope this helps. You are to be lauded for considering the use of health
literacy as part of your mission/vision statement and organizational goals.
Good luck!

Take care,
Mark

***************************************************************
Mark V. Williams, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Hospital Medicine Unit
Emory University School of Medicine
Director, Center for Clinical Effectiveness
Grady Health System
404-616-5287
Fax: 404-616-0747


-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-health@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-health@nifl.gov]On Behalf Of
G4DNeri@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 5:16 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2531] Definition of "Health Literacy"


I feel sure I have seen the answer to this question posted here before, but
my computer hard drive crashed, and all the posts with such useful info. in
them I'd saved are gone!

What is your favorite definition of "health literacy"?  My organization is
working with the idea of using the term as part of our mission/vision
statement and organizational goals, and are trying to find the best way to
articulate the meaning clearly for non-professionals.

Thanks!
Donna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donna Bain Neri, MSN, RN, FNP-C
Family & Community Health Nurse Practitioner
Healing Touch Practitioner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clinical Consultant & Health Educator
Rural Health Outreach Program
Nelson County, Virginia, USA
http://www.avenue.org/rhop
W:  804.263.4858
Fax:  804.263.4160
g4dneri@aol.com

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