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Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2006
"Nearly half of all American adults - 90 million people have difficulty understanding and using health information, and there is a higher rate of hospitalization and use of emergency services among patients with limited health literacy, says a report from the Institute of Medicine titled Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion." Dr. David Kindig of the University of Wisconsin, who headed the study, stated that "90 million Americans are at least partially health illiterate and people who are health illiterate are in deep trouble." It's not just the PATIENTS who are to blame he says. "Physicians have very little training in clear communications to patients. We need to do a lot more in written communication. We have to learn how to use technology better - videos and even the internet. Maybe the health care system itself needs to stop thinking like lawyers and start making sense to ordinary patients..." (This was from an interview with Charles Osgood on The Osgood File, April 9, 2006) What does this mean to Pharmacists? Pharmacists are the most available and the most trusted health professional. Clearly we can make a difference but we must start with one patient at a time. Providing instruction sheets that are easily understandable, going over the medications that a patient is receiving before they start on therapy and be a willing listener.
American Pharmacists Month October 2006 was the first observance of American Pharmacists Month sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Johnson&Johnson-Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co. and McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals. The theme for American Pharmacists Month, 'Know Your Medicine - Know Your Pharmacist' gives pharmacists the opportunity to educate their patients about the benefits of their pharmacist. Contact the APhA for the packet of information that is available to promote American Pharmacists Month. How did you celebrate American Pharmacists Month? Share your programs and innovative ideas with RxPatient.com by emailing us at info@rxpatient.com . We will post them on the web site. Health literacy web sites: Health Literacy Month, October 1 thru 31, 2006 Pfizer Clear Health Communication Initiative Health Literacy: Help your patients understand, AMA Foundation Examples of Spanish Patient Materials on the Web: Let us know what you think! Respond to this article. 
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