Improving the State of Health Literacy among American Adults: Why Community Outreach Methods are more effective than Literacy-Level Screenings

Author

Lydia Simpson, Western Michigan UniversityFollow

Date of Defense

4-19-2016

Date of Graduation

4-2016

Department

Human Performance and Health Education

First Advisor

Kathryn Lewis-Ginebaugh

Second Advisor

Doris Ravotas

Abstract

Health literacy refers to an individual’s ability to access and process health information to make important decisions about their health. Unfortunately, millions of American adults have inadequate health literacy skills and are not able to navigate their way through the world of health care. This may lead to disastrous consequences and poor health outcomes. To improve health literacy, nationwide health education programs are imperative. Despite this, low health literacy is often ignored, or only considered for individuals suspected of having low health literacy who might then be administered a screening instrument. A better model for the American health care system is to move to a public health disease prevention model in which the focus is upon making sure health information is accessible for the great majority of people.

Recommended Citation

Simpson, Lydia, "Improving the State of Health Literacy among American Adults: Why Community Outreach Methods are more effective than Literacy-Level Screenings" (2016). Honors Theses. 2720.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/2720

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access