I usually say something like the ability to understand and act on
information provided by your doctor, but often I have to give examples
such as What does 4 times a day mean? I sometimes refer to my own
experience at a Doctor's  office when I was diagnosed with something
that was not really explained to me and I was so blown away I did not
ask any questions. I do this to try and make people feel more
comfortable with the fact that they don't always understand what their
doctor is telling them. 

Caroline Marshall
Health Sciences Librarian
Danbury Hospital


-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Laurie Cozzolino
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 10:00 PM
To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 2409] Re: Wednesday Question: How do
youdescribe"Health Literacy" to friends?

This is a good question and not an easy one to answer.  I work in adult 
education and ESL, so my colleagues understand more or less what I mean
when 
I say 'health literacy.'.  When I talk to other people, I realize that I

don't say 'health literacy.'  I say 'nutrition education' or 'health 
education.'  What do other people say?

Laurie Cozzolino
San Diego Community College District



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie McKinney" <julie_mcKinney at worlded.org>
To: <healthliteracy at nifl.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 6:43 PM
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 2408] Wednesday Question: How do you 
describe"Health Literacy" to friends?



> Hi Everyone,

>

> I know we have discussed the official definition of health literacy

> quite a bit. But I am curious about another, more informal kind of

> description of HL. When you describe your work in health literacy to

> friends and colleagues who are not familiar with the term, how do you

> describe to them what health literacy is or means?

>

> Personally, I find that an easy description does not come easily!

>

> Thanks all,

> Julie

>

> Julie McKinney

> Health Literacy List Moderator

> World Education

> jmckinney at worlded.org

> ----------------------------------------------------

> National Institute for Literacy

> Health and Literacy mailing list

> HealthLiteracy at nifl.gov

> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to 

> http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/healthliteracy

> Email delivered to cozzolino at pacbell.net 


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