Resources

• You have the power to improve health literacy!!!
• Use these resources to learn more about health literacy, and how you can improve it..

Patient Resources

 

1. Ask Me 3 for patients - This is the Ask Me 3 page for patients.  It has a lot of information for patients about improving your health literacy.  

                                                                

2.     Medication Card - This card was developed by the Rhode Island Health Literacy Project.  It can help you keep track of your medications when you go to the doctor.

 

3.        Family Medical Tree - This resource is from the Rhode Island Health Literacy Project, just click on the link that follows to view a Spanish or English version on the family medical tree. Listing your family medical history before your visit, makes your appointment less stressful and you do not have to remember so many things.

 

4.    Checkup List - This resource was developed by the Rhode Island Health Literacy Project and you can use it as a list to remember everything you need for your medical appointment.

 

5. Health Literacy Consequences - This artice from USA Today explains some of the risks of low health literacy.

Provider Resources

 

1.  Ask Me 3 for providers - this page specifically deals with how th Ask Me 3 can help your practice or clinic, and your patients.

 

 2.         NVS - the Newest Vital Sign was developed by Pfizer to assess a patient's health literacy.  It only takes a few minutes, and a free kit is offered to providers and health centers. along with information on how to implement the tool.

 

3.     Health Literacy Guide - The AMA created a guide to health literacy for providers.

 

4.      Teach Back Technique - The following article describes the teach back technique, including how and why to use it with your patients.

 

5.   SMOG - This is a link to a readability page that offers a free option for determining the readability of the information and forms you give to patients.

 

6.    Flesch-Kincaid - This a link to a readability page that offers a free option for determining the readability of the information and forms you give to patients. Note: This test can also be performed on Microsoft Word.

 

7.       Cultural Competency - Follow this link for information and resources from the Health Industry Collaboration Effort (ICE)  about serving diverse populations.

 

8.Cultural Competency Resources and Online Courses - This site has several different options for courses regarding cultural competency that can serve as CEU credit.

 

9.  Health Literacy Written Material Guidelines - These are some guidelines from the Rhode Island Health Literacy Initiative to follow when creating or analyzing the information or forms you give to patients.

 

10.Health Literacy is Strongest Predictor of Health  Status - This is an article from the Partnership for Clear Health Communications regarding the importance of health literacy and steps that can improve it.

 

11.        Health Literacy Article - This article is from the surgeon general and deals with how providers fit into the national goal of improving health literacy.

 

12.       Pharmacy Assessment Tool - This is a guide for steps to assess your pharmacy's health literacy and your clear health communication practices.

 

 

Public Health Professionals Resources

 

1.   Ask Me 3 for Large Scale Implementations - This link includes information for employers, health plans, health departments, and other organizations.

 

2. NVS - the Newest Vital Sign was developed by Pfizer to assess a patient's health literacy.  It only takes a few minutes, and a free kit is offered to providers and health centers. along with information on how to implement the tool.

 

3. SMOG - This is a link to a readability page that offers a free option for determining the readability of the information and forms you give to patients.

 

4. Flesch-Kincaid - This a link to a readability page that offers a free option for determining the readability of the information and forms you give to patients. Note: This test can also be performed on Microsoft Word.

 

5. Cultural Competency - Follow this link for information and resources from the Health Industry Collaboration Effort (ICE)  about serving diverse populations.

 

  6. Health Literacy Information - Comprehensive information regarding health literacy, including a bibilography.

 

7. Sample Action Plan - This is a sample action plan for a community health center.

 

8. Health Literacy Guide - This is another resource that list information and plans for improving health literacy in your community and organization.

 

9. MFH Health Literacy Initiative - This is the homepage for the Missouri Foundation for Health, Missouri Health Literacy Enhancement Program.  It includes information about Missouri's health literacy issues as well as funding and grant programs that are part of the health literacy enhancement program.

 

 

 

Patients, providers, and public health professionals must work together to solve the health literacy crisis facing us today.