News
Spring 2008
Regional Gathering on Improving Health Literacy
The best health care won't help people if they don't understand health information. Research shows that people who have limited literacy or limited English proficiency are especially vulnerable. They have poorer health, more illnesses and hospitalizations, and higher mortality than the rest of the population.
"Consumers cannot take full advantage of the wealth of health information available to them if they cannot understand it," said Cindy Ehnes, Director of the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), at a western regional symposium on March 10.
Participants shared innovative uses of technology to address health literacy barriers, such as a telephone touch-tone response program to help patients manage their diabetes at home. Several speakers highlighted HRA's communication resources as models that effectively address health literacy barriers.
Health literacy — the ability to understand and act on health information — has emerged as a major health issue, exacerbated by the increasing complexities of disease management and of the health care system.
The Sacramento gathering also addressed ways to advance national and state policy at the local level. This was one of a series of "town hall" meetings sponsored by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The meeting was co-sponsored by DMHC and HRA.