Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id e9GIjB913967; Mon, 16 Oct 2000 14:45:11 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 14:45:11 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <NDBBKNOLGLDNLBPDOLFCAEDHCKAA.sandras@u.washington.edu> 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: "Sandra Smith" <sandras@u.washington.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2620] Re: October Forbes Article re: "The Crisis That Isn't" X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: OR Health Literacy Advocates: I love your passion and dedication. And I am happy to see this article. Seligman gives us a timely, needed reminder that "health literacy" is barely out of the neonatal period as a field of research and practice. We need to review critically our test instruments and methodology, the role of our own logic, language and experience in inadequate health care communication, and the conclusions we draw from health literacy test results. Seligman's comments remind us that initial findings from new testing methodologies are not a sufficient basis for major policy decisions. He requires us to realize that general literacy and health literacy are not the same. And he challenges us to look at our reasons for being in this health literacy choir. If he's right and there is no general literacy crisis in America, we should celebrate! Neither Seligman nor I would argue that there is not room for improvement in both general and health literacy. Still, it is essential to keep in mind that when we establish five levels of proficiency, some % are going to be in the lowest level, no matter what. And school-based tests are going to favor those with long,recent,positive school experience. The scarey part is this: If there is no general literacy crisis in America, then where can we look for the explanation of the undeniable communications breakdown between us health and medical professionals and our consumers/clients/patients? If the good news is "patients' inability to understand" is not the problem we think it is; the bad news is, it's us. Perhaps we HAVE jumped at the chance to demonstrate that patients' "failure to understand basic instructions" is THEIR problem. Perhaps we ARE addressing low literacy and "inadequate health literacy" from a rather narrow medical view so that what we see is an interesting, widespread disease that we can screen for, diagnose and treat. I hope we do not dismiss Seligman out of hand. I hope we can move to his position and see general literacy and health literacy from his point of view. Maybe we will get some new ideas. 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 ______________________ Thank you Robert, for alerting us to this important article. I encourage everyone to read it - it certainly is damning of information many of us hold dear. For everyone - how do you think we should respond? Individually, collectively, or some other way? For starters, my plan is to bring this article to the attention of others. Helen Osborne, MEd., OTR/L Co-moderator, NIFL-Health & Health Literacy Consulting, Natick, MA Phone: 508-653-1199 * Fax: 508-650-9492 mailto:Helen@healthliteracy.com http://www.healthliteracy.com ************************************* ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert <irrobert@swbell.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 10:45 AM Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:2616] October Forbes Article re: "The Crisis That Isn't" > You can find this piece at: > > http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2000/1002/6609086a.html > > You just may want to respond to Mr. Seligman! > > Robert Pinhero > > > > > > Robert M. Pinhero > Centex Consulting > PO Box 684031 > Austin, Texas 78768-4031 > Voice: 512-236-1052 > Cellular: 512-626-1668 > Fax: 603-590-4691 > Business email: mailto:centex_consulting@yahoo.com > Literacy related email: mailto:irrobert@swbell.net > > Literacy web sites: > > http://members.aol.com/tallnet/tallnet.html > http://members.aol.com/sclanet/index.htm > >
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