Phoenix Indian Medical Center
AZHIN

Health Literacy


 
Definition of Health Literacy

Health Literacy is "The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions" (Healthy People 2010)

 

Implications of Poor Health Literacy

Inadequate health literacy is estimated to cost the health care system  $30 to $73 billion annually. Individuals with poor health literacy are more likely to report poor health, have an incomplete understanding of their health problems, poorer complicance with treatment and are more likely to be hospitalized  (Williams. MV. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. May 2002; Pawlak R. Nursing Economics. Jul - Aug 2005).

 

Healthy People 2010

Healthy People 2010 is a set of health objectives aimed toward improving the nation's health. Objective 11, Health Communication,  addresses health literacy.  Indian Health Service is addressing the health literacy objectives of Healthy People 2010 by:

  1.  Providing health literacy compliant patient handouts.
  2.  Increasing Internet access among Native Americans.
  3.  Improving patient-provider communication.
     
     
Health Literacy at PIMC
PIMC is addressing the health literacy objectives of Healthy People 2010 by:
 
  1. Providing health literacy complianant patient handouts on the Patient Kiosk. The Patient Kiosk is located in Primary Care building.
  2. Maintaining the Patient Handouts- PIMC webpage.
  3. Reviewing Sources for Reliable Patient Information.
  4. Increasing Internet access among Native Americans with the Patient Kiosk and computer access in the library.
  5. Improving patient-provider communication with Ask Me 3  and How are we doing? on the Patient Kiosk.
 
 
Health Literacy - Additional Resources

 

Patient Education Committee 

The Patient Education Committee is comprised of an interdisciplinary team that meets every third Tuesday of each month at 2PM in the Library. Everyone is welcome. Please contact the Patient Education Committee for additional information.

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