Improving Health Literacy

Case Management Toolbox Podcast

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC

Executive Director, AllCEUs Counseling CEUs

Objectives

~ Define health literacy

~ Explain why health literacy is important

~ Explore health literacy in a recovery oriented system of care

~ Identify at least 5 ways to improve health literacy

What is a ROSC

~ Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) is a coordinated network of community-based resources that is person-centered and builds on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families, and communities to achieve improved health, wellness, and quality of life

~ In order to access and benefit from these services, people must have a high level of health literacy

~ Case Managers and clinicians can work together in communities to identify

~ Needs and resources to prevent health and mental health issues

~ Needs and resources to recover from health and mental health issues

What is Health Literacy

~ Health literacy is the degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand basic health information to make appropriate health decisions.

~ Includes math skills to manage levels, understand risks, measure medication, understand nutrition labels and even manage insurance.

~ Includes general health information about requirements for good health including exercise, sleep, nutrition and regular checkups as well as ways to prevent or mitigate common risk factors for disease

~ Only 12 percent of adults have proficient health literacy, or the skills needed to manage their health and prevent disease.

What is Health Literacy

~ Health literacy (what a person needs to know and how to help them understand and use that information) is dependent on:

~ Communication skills of lay persons and professionals

~ Lay and professional knowledge of health topics

~ Demands of the situation/context

~ Health literacy affects people's ability to:

~ Find information and services

~ Communicate their needs and preferences and respond to information and services

~ Process the meaning and usefulness of the information and services

~ Understand the choices and consequences of the information and services

~ Decide which information and services they need and take action

Health Literacy Skills

~ Anyone who provides health information and services needs health literacy skills to

~ Help people find information and services

~ Effectively communicate information about health promotion and conditions to people of varying ages, cultures and cognitive abilities.(teach back)

~ Understand what people are explicitly and implicitly asking for

~ Decide which information and services work best for different situations and people so they can act

Health Literate Services

~ A Health Literate Case Manager or Clinician

~ Integrates health literacy into planning, evaluation measures, patient safety, and quality improvement

~ Has a high level of health literacy

~ Works with clients in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the service plan

~ Uses health literacy strategies in communications and confirms understanding

~ Provides easy access to health information and services

~ Designs and distributes print, audiovisual, and social media content that is easy to understand and act on.

~ Regularly addresses health literacy in high-risk situations, including care transitions and medication changes

~ Communicates clearly what services are available free and cost

Health Literate Services

~ A Health Literate Case Manager or Clinician

~ Integrates health literacy into planning, evaluation measures, patient safety, and quality improvement

~ Evaluate client understanding of the condition, treatment options, and services available at admission

~ Evaluate client’s understanding of general health and wellness behaviors

~ Assess client’s ability to seek out, obtain and use health-related information

~ Ensure clients understand what evaluations are asking of them

~ Identify obstacles to client health literacy and set goals for improvem