Good morning all.  Cynthia Baur and I are very much looking forward to
answering any questions or issues that you might have related to the
health literacy component and report of the National Assessment of Adult
Literacy (NAAL).  Just as way of introduction, from 1999 through last
December I was the project director for the design, analysis, and
reporting component of NAAL.  In that role, I worked with Cynthia in
developing the health literacy component of NAAL.  The health literacy
items also had to be prose, document, and quantitative items so that
they could also be placed on the NAAL scale.  The health literacy items
were field tested before being included on the national study.  As we
discuss the health literacy component, it is important to remember that
the NAAL was administered in the homes of individuals, not in a doctor's
office or emergency room.
 
In case folks are shy, I want to pose a couple of questions to all of
you: 
 
1. As an individual who has been involved in adult literacy and
assessment for almost 20 years, I am curious to hear you perspectives
about the difference between measuring literacy and health literacy,
especially when the definition of health literacy (which we used from
HHS) does not indicate any prior substantive knowledge of health-related
issues (such as I take aspirin for headaches).  
 
2. Also, NAAL highlights the challenges of improving health literacy for
adults whose first language is not English.  What evidence do we have
about successful approaches to ensure that the health literacy for these
adults improves?
 
 
As we begin these discussions, I want to clearly acknowledge that there
would never have been a health literacy component of NAAL if it was not
for the hard work, perseverance,  stubbornness of Cynthia Baur. For me,
working with Cynthia on the health literacy component has been a real
joy.  The field is quite fortunate to be able to benefit from her
leadership!.

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