Hi Mark,

first, I apologize  for not ahvng at my fingertips more  information 
about the NAAL, but here goes:

1)	is  there a relationship between health and literacy?
2)	If so, what is it?

3)	What is the relationship between health literacy and literacy?  (A 
distinction without a difference?)

Thanks.

Andrea


On Sep 17, 2007, at 12:05 PM, Kutner, Mark wrote:


> 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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