I've been watching the discussion on the health literacy definition. I
would have to agree with Cynthia Baur's comments. We need to be careful
when defining health literacy that the definition is not too limiting.
We also need to make sure the definition itself is understandable.

While I very much appreciate that Andres is emphasizing the
multicultural and multilingual aspects of understanding, her definition
limits health literacy to communities that are multicultural and
multilingual. "The capacity of individuals in a multicultural and
multilingual community...". By having narrowing the definition are we
going to exclude communities that are homogeneous? People new to health
literacy may.

I have had several discussions (e-mail) with a very prominent physician
in our state who vehemently argues none of his patients have problems
with health literacy. He insists they all understand what he tells them.
With a definition such as this I can very well see this individual
making the assumption that health literacy is limited to people who do
not speak English and/or come from cultures different than our own.

The HHS definition does not limit health literacy to any one type of
patient or community.

Creating easy to understand materials and communicating clearly are
strategies to improve health literacy. The role of the health care
provider and health worker in doing this, to me has always been implied.
In the many presentations I have given on health literacy, difficult to
understand materials and poor communication are always things that I
discuss as contributing to low health literacy and clear communication.
Using easy to understand materials are strategies I outline for
enhancing health literacy. These are essential to a complete discussion
of health literacy but do not define it. As such I think it does not
really fit in the definition of health literacy but is essential to
enhancing it.

During my presentations I have found people sometimes have difficulty
clearly understanding the HHS definition of health literacy on the
initial read. After we talk very briefly about what it is saying they
have been able to read it and have it make sense. In the true nature of
making things easy to understand it truly is not written at an easy to
understand level (it is long and has several difficult to understand
terms). However, it seems to have been universally accepted and as such
I would urge caution developing differing definitions. Adding to it only
makes it less reader friendly, more difficult to understand and
potentially limited.

I respect opinions may differ. By having a common definition that is not
limited to specific patient populations and clearly identifying and
employing similar strategies to enhance health literacy we can present a
common front. By creating varying definitions we become too fragmented
in what we trying to improve and risk loosing sight of what our aim is.
I believe, if I am not mistaken, our aim with health literacy is
something to the effect of improving communication and understandability
of health related information for all people.

Thanks very much,
Bob

Bob Dickerson, MSHSA, RRT
Clinical Resource Coordinator, Clinical Quality
Iowa Health - Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Phone: (515) 263-5792
Fax: (515) 263-5415
E-mail: DICKERR2 at ihs.org
Website: www.ihsdesmoines.org
   

-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Baur, Cynthia
(HHS/OPHS)
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 1:01 PM
To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 441] Re: Your presentation on health literacy

I appreciate the lively discussion of the meaning of health literacy.
The HHS Health Literacy Workgroup has always used the broadest possible
definition of health literacy, and we already recognize health
professionals as part of the problem and solution. All types of health
professionals work at HHS, and we have always been very clear that
improving health literacy is everyone's responsibility. For an
elaboration of the role that we see health professionals playing, please
see our Quick Guide to Health Literacy that was developed for HHS
employees. We have made this available on our web site for anyone to
use. www.health.gov/communication, in the health literacy section.     

Cynthia Baur, Ph.D. 
Senior Health Communication and e-Health Advisor Office of Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
1101 Wootton Parkway, LL
Rockville, MD 20852
240-453-8262
Cynthia.Baur at hhs.gov
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Muro, Andres
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 12:42 PM
To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 440] Re: Your presentation on health literacy

Hey Anthony, that is great. Now, if we can get HHS to adopt the
definition. Cynthia, are you there ;-)

Andres

-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Tassi, Anthony
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:04 AM
To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 439] Re: Your presentation on health literacy

I agree that Andres has succinctly captured what many of us have been
thinking for years.  Here in NYC, we have incorporated this approach in
the definition that we are using:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/adulted/html/health/health.shtml

Anthony Tassi
Director, Adult Education
Office of the Mayor
City of New York
atassi at cityhall.nyc.gov



www.nyc.gov/adult-ed


-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Julie McKinney
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 1:42 PM
To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 437] Re: Your presentation on health literacy

Thanks Andres,

I like the way your new definition of health literacy (at the end)
includes skills for health workers to achieve in order to be health
literate. It is a new way of looking at it! Please let us know about the
response you get from the presentation, if you could.

Thanks again,

Julie

Julie McKinney
Discussion List Moderator
World Education/NCSALL
jmckinney at worlded.org


>>> amuro5 at epcc.edu 10/06/06 1:10 PM >>>

Julie:

 

It is my own presentation. However, it is attached. Let me know if you
have questions.

 

Andres

 

________________________________

From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of jbaker3439 at aol.com
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 10:37 AM
To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 434] Your presentation on health literacy

 

 Andres,

 

Although I would love it, I am not able to attend the Health Literacy
Conference next week.  However, I was wondering if your presentation is
available for those of us who are unable to attend.  

 

Are you part of a group from NCES or DOE that is disseminating
information about NAAL, or is this a presentation that you have designed
yourself?

 

Thanks for your time.

 

Julie Baker

 

 

Julie N. Baker

Workforce Skills Development

13805 Shaker Blvd., #4A

Cleveland, OH 44120

216-561-1629

jbaker3439 at aol.com <mailto:jbaker3439 at aol.com> 

 

 
-----Original Message-----
From: amuro5 at epcc.edu
To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Sent: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 1:08 PM
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 430] health literacy conference San Antonio

There is a health literacy conference in San Antonio next week. I'll be
doing a presentation about NAAL results and other things. The website is
listed below,

 

http://www.sahealthlit.org/save2006.pdf

 

Andres

________________________________

 

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