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Scope and Impact

How would you describe a health situation that:

• Threatens every person in the United States, regardless of age, race, education, or income level
• Is estimated to cost tens of billions of dollars per year
• Can't be detected by a physical examination, a blood test, or a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging system
• Is not yet a top priority for public policy and government decision makers

Would you call it a public health emergency?  This is not a fictional scenario. It exists and is called low health literacy.

Health literacy is defined as the ability to read, understand, and act on health information. People of any age, income, race, or background can find it challenging to understand health information.

Why?  Medical information is becoming increasingly complex and health care professionals do not always explain information in a way that patients can understand. Health care professionals may not even know when patients do not understand medical information or instructions. Many patients do not ask health care providers to explain difficult or complicated information because they are embarrassed or intimidated. If patients do not understand medication and self-care instructions, an essential part of their medical care is missing, which can put their health at risk.

Research suggests that people with low health literacy:

• Make more medication or treatment errors
• Are less able to follow treatments
• Lack the skills needed to negotiate the health care system
• Are at a higher risk for hospitalization than people with adequate literacy skills

Next: Stats at a Glance >>