What is health literacy?

 “The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health care decisions”  (Ratzan, S., and R. Parker. (2000) and Healthy People 2010, 2020)

What is functional health literacy?

 “The ability to read and comprehend prescription bottles, appointment slips, and the other essential health related materials required to successfully function as a patient”*

Functional health literacy also includes the ability to understand and follow directions, and to ask questions when necessary for full understanding. (AMA Council of Scientific Affairs)

BMC Public Health - Health in the 'hidden population' of people with low literacy. A systematic review of the literature.

Family Medicine - When language, health literacy, and miscommunication collide: tremors versus seizures.

American Journal of Pharmacy Education - Active-learning strategies to develop health literacy knowledge and skills.

American Journal of Health Behavior - The mechanisms linking health literacy to behavior and health status.

Journal of Health Communication - Health literacy and communication quality in health care organizations.

Bringing Health Information to the Community (BHIC)

CDC - Bridging the Health Literacy Gap

Health Literacy Missouri - Plain Talk Blog

Public Health Literacy Blog

MedlinePlus – Health Literacy Health Topic

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthliteracy.html

National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy – U.S. Department of Health & Human     Services

               http://www.health.gov/communication/hlactionplan

National Network of Libraries of Medicine – Health Literacy Page

http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/hlthlit.html

National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern Atlantic Region – Health Literacy Toolkit – updated annually

               http://nnlm.gov/sea/outreach/healthlitkit/