Health Literacy

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how health literacy is beginning to show glaring deficits in the American population; many do not understand what their medications mean to them and how they should be taken. The paper shows how low health literacy contributes to poor outcomes in health and explores what can be done to raise the health literacy level of American patients. The paper suggests that a nationwide program should be implemented that will encourage patients to ask questions, doctors to explain their decisions and pharmacists to counsel every patient that picks up a prescription.

Outline:
Introduction
Low Health Literacy and its Impact
Solving the Problem
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Many years ago, the medical field was founded in a few basic rules. One took medications three or four times a day for 10 days and if they did not feel better they returned to the doctor. There were few choices in the medications that were available and for each illness or physical complaint the same drugs were used. Today, however, that has changed and there are literally thousands of medications available to use for many different purposes. With each passing decade it becomes more important than ever to be health literate when it comes to medications being prescribed."

Sample of Sources Used:

• ______(2002) Study: failure to understand prescription drug information contributes to poor health outcomes. (Database Notes).(Health Literacy Initiative) Health Care Strategic Management
• ______(2003) Literacy Skills Are Strongest Predictor of Health Status in United States; New Coalition Unveils Action Agenda, Tools to Elevate 'Health Literacy' Among At-Risk Populations. PR Newswire
• _____(2005) AHIP Board Adopts Health Literacy Program. PR Newswire
• Riley, Rochelle (2003) Campaign eliminates illiteracy barrier to good health. Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI)
• Lee, P. P. (1999). Why literacy matters: Links between reading ability and health. Archives of Ophthalmology, 117, 1.

More papers on Health Literacy:

• Essay # 137551 : "Literacy and Creativity in Older People"
• Research Paper # 110558 : "Health Disparities Found in Diabetes and Obesity"
• Analytical Essay # 148110 : "Education and Functional Literacy as Social Determinants of Health"

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