October is Health Literacy Month, a time when we can work together to integrate and expand the mission of health literacy – to build a world where our collective efforts will lead to health equity, where all people can attain positive health outcomes. Let’s commit to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. We urge you to move health literacy awareness to health literacy action.
Health literacy is defined in two ways:
- Personal health literacy is how well a person can find, understand, and use information and services to make decisions about their own health and the health of others.
- Organizational health literacy is how well organizations equitably help all people find, understand, and use information and services to make decisions about their own health and others.
Organizational health literacy is a critical component of health equity. The consequences of not being able to access, understand, and use vital health information can be severe. When organizations ground their initiatives in health literacy principles, they maximize their reach and impact. Embedding health literacy throughout an organization builds a strong foundation for long-term success.
Use this health literacy toolkit as a starting point for ongoing improvement and innovation in your organization’s communication and outreach efforts.
Our collective efforts will lead to health equity where all people can attain positive health outcomes. Let’s commit to recognizing the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. We all have a responsibility to do better. #HealthLiteracyMonth
Often there is an “Aha!” moment when someone realizes the impact or importance of health literacy. Watch this video, developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), which capture some ‘aha moments’
Listen To Our Podcast, Q-Tips For Your Ears!
Health Literacy: Improving health literacy is one way to advance health equity. Understand what health literacy is, who it affects and strategies that can be done to improve health literacy.
Health Equity – What it is and Why it is Important: Health Equity has become a priority and highly talked about topic. Familiarize yourself with what health equity is and learn about some of the different areas that influence an individual or a communities in achieving their best health.
Want To Learn More About Health Equity? Visit GPQIN’s Health Equity Website Page.