Challenges in Risk Communications, Warnings, Recalls

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2 The degree in which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and health services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Health literacy is not only a measure of individuals understanding of health information at various points in time, but it is also a measure of how well various health care systems have been organized and connected in its ability to provide quality services to ALL..

3 Illiteracy is a hidden disability that threatens the health care of onethird of all American patients American College of Physicians & American Society of Internal Medicine. More hospitalizations & for longer periods of time Increase use of emergency departments Management of their diseases, i.e. diabetes & asthma is less proficient Patients with the largest disease burdens are often those with the least ability to understand and use health information. Healthcare Systems lack a focus on patient education and poor communication skills by clinicians Increase cases of communicating about medications with patients are inadequate and contribute to incidence of medication errors Challenges in Risk Communications, Warnings, Recalls

4 Low health literacy is more prevalent among Older adults Younger adults, i.e. teen mothers Individuals with low socioeconomic status Minority populations Medically underserved populations Health Literacy may be affected when: Language of the individuals is not used in the instruction of care Culture differences are not known or acknowledged when providing health care services When both the health care provider/systems and the patient are speaking in terms that are not understood totally by the other Follow-up instructions.. Or procedures are too wordy and it lacks visuals to make its points

5 A large percentage of the underserved population consist of minorities, low social economic individuals and families. There exist among this segment high rates of health disparities across all disease areas, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality rates Lack access to quality care Cultures, Norms, Values are not valued enough Cultural competency in healthcare, responsiveness to all aspects of a patient s culture, enabling providers to promote grater engagement of patients in managing their medical conditions need to be enhanced Patients with the largest disease burdens are often those with the least ability to understand and use health information Cultural Communications - Verbal, non-verbal and body language Systems: The National Office of Minority Health, The Commonwealth Fund s Program on Quality health care for minority and low-income patients..

6 According to the U.S. Census, minorities will become the majority in American in Given this, diverse languages of the major minority groups, i.e. Spanish will have to be spoken and written throughout the healthcare system Effective health communication will become more urgent as it faces challenges communicating to the larger pubic in major emergencies, health behaviors, and self management. Language barriers will not be the only obstacle to heath literacy and effective communication, but culture clashes and the lack of understanding and applying cultural sensitivity in all messaging and patient care will be critical The important of pictures and plain language.

7 Use of plain language Use of the active voice The use of pictures to communicate health messages is effective Breaking down complex information into understandable pieces Organizing information so the most important points comes Scientific, rigorous research is needed for communicating with pictures; incorporating cultural practices and their values; and the precise linkages between health literacy and medical errors. The Institute of Medicine, The American Medical Association American College of Physicians and the Joint Commission have targeted health literacy as a cross cutting priority area for quality improvement to transform U.S. health care. More agencies need to join in these efforts Patient education and poor communication skills by clinicians

8 The Power of Pictures and very few words.

9 1. Use more than one communication modality to give the most important information 2. In a society with diverse languages and cultures, pictures that express these elements will have a greater impact on health behaviors and outcomes 3. This methodology should undergo rigious scientific measures as other forms of communicationss 4. Recognizing the growing importance of reaching people with limited literacy by building partnerships across agencies lines 5. Making written health materials more readable and on a grade level FDA has already made improvements in its communications around risks and benefits, medications labels, and is aggressively looking at improving its communication methods. 2. More research is need to identify the linkages between health literacy and medical error 3. Incorporating more visuals and the use of other languages

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