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| 1,700 |
Students Enrolled |
| 265 |
GEDs Awarded |
| 60,000 |
Hours of Instruction |
| 95% |
OBR Annual Review Rating |
| $360 |
Cost per Student |
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< Back | Home > Programs > Health Literacy
Health literacy refers to the ability to read and have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.
One in five adults read at or below the 5th grade reading level, but most health materials are written at the 10th grade level or above. Furthermore, only 50 percent of all patients take medication as directed.
But, it gets worse.
In a recent study of 2,659 low-income outpatients in two public hospitals:- 26% did not understand when their next appointment was scheduled
- 42% did not understand instructions to “take [their] medication on [an] empty stomach”
- 49% could not determine whether they were eligible for free care from reading a hospital financial aid form
This suggests the extent of the health literacy problem in the United States.
Imagine what the consequences are for patients who do not take their medication correctly. Think about how many people could be less sick, or even cured, if they did.
Although it may be difficult to identify a patient with low health literacy skills, there are clues that a patient may need additional help. These include:- Registration and other forms filled out incompletely or incorrectly
- Written materials handed to a relative or other person accompanying the patient
- "I will read this at home."
- "I can't read this now; I forgot my glasses."
- Aloofness or withdrawal during physician/provider explanations
Project Learn is committed to helping individuals, who share any of these characteristics, learn the skills needed to understand an appointment confirmation letter, medication instructions, and other skills that are needed to be considered health literate.
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