A recent study revealed that more than 89 million Americans lack basic health literacy skills. The American Medical Association (AMA) defines health literacy as a person’s ability to obtain, process, and comprehend health information needed to make informed personal health decisions and follow healthcare instructions. Inadequate health literacy is a problem that spans all ages, races, income levels, and ranges of academic achievement. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), more than one-third of all adults in the United States would have difficulty understanding even the most rudimentary healthcare information, such as following the directions on a prescription drug label, or comprehending a standard informed consent form. Even people with otherwise strong literacy skills can struggle to understand basic health information. The problem is compounded by the fact that many people simply hide their confusion out of shame, embarrassment, or intimidation. Although efforts are being made to improve health literacy in America, it is a multifaceted problem and a primary driver of health outcome disparities.

As medical science continues to progress, health literacy will remain at the forefront of the national healthcare discussion. A report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services titled National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy spells out its vision of how the health literacy crisis in American can be solved. In short, there must be a wholesale restructuring of the way healthcare providers, drug companies, insurance companies, and others present information to consumers. Recommendations include: finding ways to develop and disseminate information that’s accurate, accessible, and actionable (the three “As”); promote changes in the healthcare system that encourage informed decision-making; make healthcare education a mandatory part of school curricula; support programs that provide adult education and English-language instruction; and devote greater resources to the use of evidence-based health literacy practices and interventions.

Another notable initiative is Healthy People 2020 – a science-based, 10-year agenda for improving the health of Americans. Healthy People 2020 offers a framework for solving many of the nation’s most pressing healthcare priorities, with the ultimate goal of creating a society in which people live long, healthy lives. Fundamental to Healthy People 2020 is recognizing the vital importance of improved health literacy among all segments of the population. In order to reduce health inequity and improve healthcare outcomes in patients, healthcare professionals must take active measures to improve health literacy. As more and more people turn to the Internet for information, healthcare professionals must put a greater emphasis on disseminating health information online that consumers can use effectively in their decision-making.

Poor health literacy has no one single cause. The United States is a large, heterogeneous country with one of the most complex healthcare systems in the world. The complexity of medicine is only exacerbated by the incredible diversity of our own population. While education certainly is an important factor in one’s level of health literacy, factors such as age, cultural background, English language proficiency, and access to the Internet have a role to play as well.

People who have low health literacy skills are more likely to have chronic health conditions and be less able to manage them effectively. Instead of taking preventive health measures, such as going to the dentist regularly or having cancer screenings, those with limited health literacy have more emergency health complications and thus spend more time in emergency rooms and hospitals. According to the American Journal of Medicine, $106 to $238 billion is lost every year on healthcare costs because of poor health literacy. Anyone who is a consumer of healthcare in this country – i.e., all of us – must be able to make informed decisions regarding his or her health.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education. http://www.spineseminar.com/laser-spine-institute-accreditations/

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

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