Health Literacy

What is health literacy?

Health literacy is defined as the ability to access, read, communicate, and comprehend basic health information in order to make appropriate health-related decisions (www.health.gov). As a social determinant of health, low health literacy creates inequities in accessing health related information, services and care. Health literacy is more than just being "literate" or able to read. According to the American Medical Association, poor health literacy is "a stronger predictor of a person's health than age, income, employment status, educational level, and race." According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 9 out of 10 adults struggle using everyday health information that is routinely available in our healthcare facilities, retail outlets, media and communities.

Who is impacted?

Health literacy is lowest among the more vulnerable segments of our communities-those with lower education levels, racial/ethnic minorities, the uninsured and publicly insured, those with chronic mental and/or general health conditions, and the elderly. (1)

Facts at a glance

In 1998, it was estimated that an additional $73 billion in health care costs could be attributed to low health literacy rates. (2)
In the U.S., nearly 90 million adults have low functional health literacy. (3)
11 million adults are non-literate in English. (4)
Two thirds of U.S. adults age 60 and over have inadequate or marginal literacy skills. (5)
Approximately half of Medicare/Medicaid recipients read below the 5th grade level. (6)
50% of African Americans and 40% of Hispanics read at or below the 5th grade reading level. (7)

Policymakers and State health directors: Steps to improve health literacy (8)

Establish health literacy guidelines /standards regarding the quality and accessibility of health information
Include health literacy as a social determinant of health and as an integrated component of initiatives addressing health disparities
Assess and develop appropriate literacy levels as well as mechanisms for the delivery of health information
Encourage public and private insurers to develop accessible materials for persons with limited literacy and health literacy skills
Promote health professional standards to ensure uniformity regarding the delivery of information

Key Messages

Every American needs to be health literate to facilitate access to health information and care
Low literacy adversely impacts behavioral health as well as health in general
The lack of health literacy is a health disparity
Health literacy is more than just being able to read
Plain language is effective language