JENNA GREEN FOUNDATION

By: Darena

I feel like Health Literacy is so important for patients to make the best decision possible for their health. I think it is especially important for Healthcare Professionals to keep this in mind when speaking to students transitioning from highschool to college or just transitioning to adulthood. Many children can take comfort in knowing that their parents or parental guirdian can make decisions for them. Kids don't have to worry about taking care of themselves or worrying ab...

Check out the following websites for more information on Health Literacy:

• National Institutes of Health: Health Literacy
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Health Literacy
• Health.gov Quick Guide for He...

When possible, Healthcare Professionals should try to use plain language instead of medical jargon so that patients are able to understand the information given to them and be able to make the best decisions possible for their health and wellbeing.

According to PlainLanguage.gov, Plain language (also called Plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Language that is plain to one set of readers may not be plain to others. Written ma...

Here are 10 ways that healthcare professionals can help their patients.

1. Identify patients with limited literacy levels (HRSA 2015)
2. Use simple language, short sentences and define technical terms (HRSA 2015)
3. Supplement instruction with appropriate materials (videos, models, pictures, etc.) (HRSA 2015)
4. Ask patients to explain your instructions (teach back method) or demonstrate the procedure (HRSA 2015)
5. Ask questions that begin with “how” a...

In honor of Health Literacy Month, we are providing month long resources in order to help those learn to communicate health information more effectively.

"Effective Communication Tools for Healthcare Professional...

Check out this video, "How Effective Healthcare Communication Contributes to Health Equity" published by: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA 2015) If the link below does not work: please go to https://youtu.be/dOZLf-RYvHk

"Effective healthcare communication policies and practices,...

Check out this video which is part of the health literacy educational toolkit developed by the American Medical Association Foundation. For more information about their health literacy resources, visit www.amafoundation.org/go/healthliteracy . If you cannot see the video below, here is the link: https://youtu.be/cGtTZ_vxjyA

It is Health Literacy Month! Read some of these books in order to improve health communication. The books listed below are in random order.

1. Health Literacy From A To Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message by Helen Osborne

Who founded Health Literacy Month?

• Helen Osborne M.E...