AHU Resource Guides: Health Literacy: Health Literacy Overview

What is Health Literacy?

"Healthy People 2030 defines health literacy in 2 ways:

Personal: how well you can find, understand, and use information and services to make health-related decisions.
Organizational: how well organizations enable people to find, understand, and use information and services."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) says health literacy involves the information and services that people need to make well-informed health decisions.

source: HRSA, https://www.hrsa.gov/about/organization/bureaus/ohe/health-literacy; https://www.nnlm.gov/guides/intro-health-literacy

Plain Language Tools

Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it.

Health Literacy -- Plain Language Materials & Resources / CDC
1. Everyday words for Public Health Communication
2. Federal Plan Language Guidelines
3. Guidelines for Effective Writing
4. Plain Lnaguage at NIH
Clear Communication / National Institutes of Health
The Clear Communication resource pages are designed to support science and public health communicators in the creation and dissemination of health information.
plainlanguage.gov
Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications.

Patient Education

MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. It is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast
Health Literacy Out Loud (HLOL) podcasts are a lot like radio shows. You can listen in as Helen Osborne interviews those in-the-know about health literacy. You will hear why health literacy matters and learn practical ways to help. Unlike radio shows, you access Health Literacy Out Loud podcasts from the Internet. You simply access the podcast from this website or an app and listen whenever, wherever, and however you want on your computer, phone, or other MP3 device.
Patient Education and Engagement / Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Health Literacy Training

Health Literacy Online Free Training Courses
Training in health literacy, plain language, and culture and communication is essential for anyone working in health information and services. Whether you are new to these topics, need a refresher, or want to train your entire staff, the following courses are a good place to start.

Health Literacy Videos

Librarian

Jessica Daly