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Is “health literacy” in your student’s IEP? It should be. In order to take charge of health and wellness, youth need to learn the “language of health care,” and know how to access and understand the health care system.
Q: What is health literacy? A: Personal health literacy is the degree to which individuals can find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Organizational health literacy is the degree to which organizations equitably enable individuals to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Q: Why does health literacy matter? A: People with disabilities experience significant health disparities from typically abled people, including worsening health, depressive symptoms, diabetes, stroke, visual impairment, difficulty with activities of daily living, obesity, lack of physical activity, and low workforce participation. In addition, many people with disabilities do not receive basic primary and preventive care, including weigh‐ins, preventive dental care, pelvic exams, X‐rays, physical examinations, colonoscopies, and vision screenings. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that inadequate health literacy is associated with annual health care expenditures approximating $172 billion. Q: What are the problems? A: One of the biggest barriers—faced by people with and without disabilities alike—is that health information is too complex. According to a paper by the AAHD, 9 out of 10 adults struggle to understand unfamiliar health information. According to the CDC, health professionals often use too much jargon or scientific data, and rely too much on printed information. Often, there is a lack of diversity in the message delivery methods, and too much focus on conveying information rather than encouraging actions on the part of the patient. Q: What can be done to improve health literacy? A: Every organization responsible for disseminating health information should take an inclusive approach when developing and disseminating information about health issues. Providers can take time to learn more about effective communication with diverse populations, including people with learning, intellectual and developmental disabilities. (See the Resources section for an article from the CDC) Schools can do their part by providing direct instruction in health literacy and including goals and objectives in transition IEPs for students ages 14 and over. Navigating the Health Care System is a four-unit health literacy curriculum. Designed by Nemours Children’s Health, it helps prepare teens to be responsible for managing their health care. The curriculum is available nationwide at no cost, with new content added regularly. The four-module lesson plans include a facilitator’s guide and interactive web-based activities. Click here to access the Nemours Children’s Health curriculum, Navigating the Health Care System. How can teens take charge of their medical care? Check out the English and Spanish versions of Nemours Take Charge resources: How Can I Take Charge of My Own Medical Care? in English. ¿Cómo puedo hacerme cargo de mi propia atención médica? en español. (See the rest of the RAISE August 2022 Newsletter)
2 Comments
11/25/2022 04:36:29 am
The organizational definition acknowledges that health literacy is connected to health equity. Health equity is the attainment of the highest level of health for all people. Health literacy skills allow patients to take control of their own well-being by making smart healthcare choices, improving their communication with doctors and equipping them with information to advocate for themselves in a medical setting.
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12/9/2022 05:04:07 am
Health literacy implies the achievement of a level of knowledge, personal skills and confidence to take action to improve personal and community health by changing personal lifestyles and living conditions. Thus, health literacy means more than being able to read pamphlets and make appointments. Meeting the health literacy needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalized societies will particularly accelerate progress in reducing inequities in health and beyond.
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AuthorStaff of the Family Support Program (including original content as well as curated links to various authors around the web.) ArchivesAugust 2022 CategoriesAll ![]() |