Block U: Medical Humanities: Health Literacy

What is Health Literacy?

According to the National Patient Safety Foundation, health literacy "is the ability to read, understand and act on health information." ¹

¹ National Patient Safety Foundation. Health Literacy: Statistics At-A-Glance. http://www.npsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AskMe3_Stats_English.pdf

Data from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy indicates that "nearly 9 out of 10 adults do not have proficient health literacy and, therefore, may not have the skills required to manage their health..." ¹

Being aware of health literacy standards and creating patient education materials at a 5th - 8th grade reading level helps ensure patient understanding and safety.

¹ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Health Literacy. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/factsheets/literacy/healthlit/index.html