Good Questions, Charles.  The literacy demands of healthcare continue to
increase with technology and complexity of treatment, financing and policy.
The literacy demands of maintaining personal health also increase with
reliance on computers and ever changing recommendations and risks. This
should not be interpreted as a reduction in individual or population reading
skills. Technology is advancing faster than our ability to use it
effectively; so I would not anticipate population level improvements. Health
literacy – (not reading skill, but ability to use literacy for positive
health & healthcare practices)  improves in individuals with need,
opportunity, experience and social support. Much work has been done to
improve information and its delivery – this removes barriers, especially for
those who only need information,  but is insufficient to effect outcomes,
costs or inequities. 

Sandra Smith, MPH CHES

Health Education Specialist

UW Center for Health Education & Research

800-444-8806  206 -441-7046

www.BeginningsGuides.net

sandras at u.washington.edu

 

From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Charles Jackson
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 8:57 AM
To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1989] Is health literacy in U.S. decreasing? What
are current trends in health literacy?

 

I'm not sure how to answer these two questions:

1) Is health literacy in the U.S. decreasing?

2) What are current trends in health literacy? For example, is it safe to
say that medical libraries are forming more partnerships with public
libraries in health literacy initiatives?

Thank you.

Charles Jackson
Project Manager
Humana Foundation, 500 W. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202
502-580-1245 telephone\voice-mail
502-580-1256 fax


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