Health literacy is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” (Healthy People 2010).

A growing body of research is showing that medical information is often misunderstood or misinterpreted by people with limited health literacy, which can result in missed appointments, medication errors, poor patient compliance and potentially poor health outcomes (American Medical Association).

According to the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS 1992) approximately:  

• 20 million adults cannot read and write
• 45 million adults have only marginal reading skills
• 1 in 3 Americans are functionally illiterate

The following resources can assist health care providers in finding more effective ways to communicate with their patients.

Websites

• Harvard School of Public Health
• Plain Language, U.S. Government
• The Clear Language Group
• Provider's Guide to Quality & Culture
• Health Literacy Fact Sheets
• Health and Literacy Special Collections

Books/Manuals/Kits

Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion
Institute of Medicine Report, April, 2004

Clear & Simple: Developing Effective Print Materials For Low-Literate Readers
National Cancer Institute, available at no cost. 

Health Literacy: Help your patients understand.
American Medical Association
Kit includes video, CD, guide and office tools.  

Writing and Designing Print Materials for Beneficiaries
A Guide for State Medicaid Agencies
Includes step by step “how to” develop and test materials, detailed checklists for assessing print materials and additional resources. Available at no cost by calling writing to: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Administrative Group SLL-B-15, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 or fax (410) 786-1905