{"id":34,"date":"2018-11-26T20:29:28","date_gmt":"2018-11-27T01:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/?page_id=34"},"modified":"2018-11-26T20:29:28","modified_gmt":"2018-11-27T01:29:28","slug":"health-literacy-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/introduction\/health-literacy-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Literacy Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571605815230{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: left\">What is Health Literacy?<\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1600\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/10\/health-literacy-overview-1-2.jpg\" alt=\"health literacy overview\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/10\/health-literacy-overview-1-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/10\/health-literacy-overview-1-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/10\/health-literacy-overview-1-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/10\/health-literacy-overview-1-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/10\/health-literacy-overview-1-2-250x250.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>The classic definition of health literacy refers to an individual\u2019s capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions <sup>1<\/sup>.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, health literacy is in fact a dynamic process \u2013 it is a state not a trait. As such, health literacy can be affected by various factors, like the stress of a new diagnosis or the setting within which information is being shared.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2019\/06\/04\/2019-11571\/solicitation-for-written-comments-on-an-updated-health-literacy-definition-for-healthy-people-2030\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Healthy People 2030<\/a>\u00a0is proposing\u00a0a new working definition of health literacy that reflects a\u00a0consensus of health literacy as a two-sided construct affected by both:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>an individual\u2019s capacities, and<\/li>\n<li>the abilities of those responsible for communicating information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571604835854{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #efefef !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Health Literacy includes&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571094894616{margin-top: -40px !important;margin-bottom: -67px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-right-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 5px !important;border-left-width: 5px !important;background-color: #99ccff !important;border-left-style: none !important;border-right-style: none !important;border-top-style: none !important;border-bottom-style: none !important;}&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571664009030{margin-left: 75px !important;}&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078463115{margin-bottom: -25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1582&#8243; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/plain-language\/&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571079906756{margin-bottom: -25px !important;margin-left: -50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571664077616{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 40px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/plain-language\/\"><span style=\"color: #07071f\">PLAIN LANGUAGE:<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<p>A clear way of writing and sharing information so that people can understand it the first time they read or hear it.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078493922{margin-bottom: -25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1745&#8243; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/numeracy\/&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078501597{margin-bottom: -25px !important;margin-left: -50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571664104361{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 40px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/numeracy\/\"><span style=\"color: #07071f\">NUMERACY:<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<p>Using math and number concepts in everyday life[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078509977{margin-bottom: -25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1580&#8243; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/visualization-design\/&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078519130{margin-bottom: -25px !important;margin-left: -50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571664119502{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 40px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/visualization-design\/\"><span style=\"color: #07071f\">CLEAR DESIGN:<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<p>Words and numbers need to be presented in ways that are designed for understanding[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078543365{margin-bottom: -25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1659&#8243; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/usability-testing\/&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078538620{margin-bottom: -25px !important;margin-left: -50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571664129975{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 40px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/usability-testing\/\"><span style=\"color: #07071f\">USABILITY TESTING:<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<p>Evaluating a product or service by testing it with users[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078562233{margin-bottom: -25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1585&#8243; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/cultural-considerations\/&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078552851{margin-bottom: -25px !important;margin-left: -50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571664139984{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 40px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/cultural-considerations\/\"><span style=\"color: #07071f\">CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS:<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<p>Culture can mean different things to different people and can be challenging to generalize[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078576899{margin-bottom: -25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1578&#8243; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/interactive-techniques\/&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571078570165{margin-bottom: -25px !important;margin-left: -50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571664150799{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 40px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/tools\/overview\/interactive-techniques\/\"><span style=\"color: #07071f\">INTERACTIVE TECHNIQUES:<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<p>Clinical research\u00a0communications are\u00a0enhanced through in-person, verbal interactions[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571604824403{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #efefef !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Health Literacy Facts and Stats<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Only 12% of adults in the United States have proficient levels of health literacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>35% of adults in the United States have health literacy levels that are basic or below basic<strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1570375719977{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #99ccff !important;border-left-style: none !important;border-right-style: none !important;border-top-style: none !important;border-bottom-style: none !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}&#8221;]This means that over 77 million people have difficulty with common health tasks, such as following directions on a prescription drug label or adhering to an immunization schedule using a standard chart\u00a0<sup>2<\/sup>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1695&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571577427227{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]Every person can have trouble understanding the information given to them.\u00a0 \u00a0 Populations most likely to experience low health literacy are older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, people with less than a high school degree or GED certificate, people with low income levels, non-native speakers of English, and people with compromised health status.<sup>4<\/sup>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571604848567{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #efefef !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Health Literacy and Clinical Research<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Clear communication with potential, enrolled, and past research participants supports understanding and decision-making that aligns to their values.<\/p>\n<p>Health literacy should be considered a critical component of <strong>all<\/strong> participant facing clinical research communications created by <strong>all<\/strong> clinical research stakeholders across <strong>all<\/strong> points of the clinical trial life cycle.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1570492372750{margin-right: -50px !important;background-color: #efefef !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1458&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571664196521{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-left: 50px !important;padding-right: 75px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><strong><span style=\"color: #910532\">We welcome your feedback!\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"color: #910532\">Our health literacy site is always evolving and we encourage visitor input to help us enhance and improve this important resource.<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><strong><span style=\"color: #910532\">Please email <a href=\"mailto:MRCT@bwh.harvard.edu\">MRCT@bwh.harvard.edu\u00a0<\/a>with recommendations of additional\u00a0resources that support health literacy integration into clinical research.<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1570373866351{margin-right: -50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h6><sup>1<\/sup>U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2010). National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy. Washington, DC: Author<\/h6>\n<h6><sup>2<\/sup>America&#8217;s Health Literacy: Why We Need Accessible Health Information. An Issue Brief From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008<\/h6>\n<h6><sup>3<\/sup>Ibid.<\/h6>\n<h6><sup>4<\/sup>National Center for Education Statistics. 2006.\u00a0<i>The Health Literacy of America&#8217;s Adults: Results From the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy.\u00a0<\/i>Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education<\/h6>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1571605815230{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}&#8221;] What is Health Literacy? [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The classic definition of health literacy refers to an individual\u2019s capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions 1. Yet, health literacy is in fact a dynamic process \u2013 it is a state [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":32,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-sub.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-34","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.mrctcenter.org\/health-literacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}