I think we need to broaden the discussion a bit - following on the
definition of general literacy which includes the ability to function on
the job and obtain one's potential...it is not only necessary to
understand and evaluate the information, but also to know how to act
upon it successfully..

Joanne 


Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD
Director, Aging and Community Health
American Medical Association
515 N. State St.
Chicago, IL  60610
312-464-5355
fax: 312-464-5841
Joanne.Schwartzberg at ama-assn.org

-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Julie McKinney
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 12:32 PM
To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1830] Re: Health Litearcy Definitions

Thanks, Joan and Valerie, for your consistent reminders to include
populations in the health literacy arena that many of us do not think
about every day. I hope the message is getting across to all of us who
prepare materials and messages for a broad audience. We do need
reminders to always consider alternative formats for those with hearing,
visual or intellectual disabilities.

Thanks for keeping us on our toes!

Julie

Julie McKinney
Discussion List Moderator
World Education/NCSALL
jmckinney at worlded.org


>>> Joan Medlen <joan at ipns.com> 03/07/08 11:11 AM >>>

At 07:28 AM 3/6/2008, you wrote:

>believe that literacy has far more meaning than whether a person can 

>understand the words and meaning. In addition to that notion, if a

person

>does have difficulty with the comprehension factor, they/everyone can

have a

>sensory disability that adds to the frustration and access to good

health

>care.


HI Valerie,

I whole-heartedly agree. I work primarily with people who have
intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), and am a firm
believer that "health literacy" is far more than a literacy exercise. I
also believe most on this list feel the same way.

In my work with Special Olympics, we have been talking about what health

literacy means for athletes involved with Special Olympics. Since I"m
still developing this area of the Healthy Athletes program, I"m happy to
hear any thoughts about this working definition:


What is "Health Literacy"?

The Institutes of Health defines health literacy as:

"the extent to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process,
and understand basic health information services needed to make
appropriate health decisions."

This definition is also included in Healthy People 2010.

However, most people working in the area of health literacy develop a
more practical version of this definition. One that I like for health
literacy within Healthy Athletes is:

"the ability to understand how and where to get health-related
information, understand it, use it correctly to improve health, and act
on it to make

behavior change."

Regardless of the official definition, health literacy is a type of
"functional literacy," with a focus on what the person can do with their

skills (seek information, establish a medical or dental home, act on
information to change behavior to improve health and so on).

We are dedicated to sharing education for parents, professionals, and
people with intellectual disabilities - particularly athletes in Special

Olympics - to improve health through improved health literacy for people

with intellectual disabilities.

2008 (c) Special Olympics, Inc.


-------
Joan E Guthrie Medlen, R.D., L.D.
Clinical Advisor, Health Literacy & Communications Special Olympics
Healthy Athletes joan at DownSyndromeNutrition.com
503.246.3849



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