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Parker and Ratzan discuss what health literacy is, the importance of having health literacy skills, and the need for a strategy to address limited health literacy. The degree to which individuals are able to understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions require a health information strategy that addresses the problems of low health literacy. Low health literacy is prevalent because current health information is somewhat complex. Parker and Ratzan present a clear definition of health literacy and why a strategy is important for better communication.

This blog, published by Stephen Dubner, talks about financial literacy among high school students, and the problems in a dangerously low financial literacy level. He also helps diagnose financial literacy by offering a series of questions to test the reader's own financial literacy. It is a very useful article to use not only in studying the financial literacy of America, but also to diagnose yourself on your own financial literacy. The comments posted on the blog are also very informative of the reactions to the freakonomics blog.

Health literacy is basic reading and numerical skills that allow a person to function in the health care environment. Even though most adults read at an eighth-grade level, and 20 percent of the population reads at or below a fifth-grade level, most health care materials are written at a 10th-grade level. Older patients are particularly affected because their reading and comprehension abilities are influenced by their cognition and their vision and hearing status. Inadequate health literacy can result in difficulty accessing health care, following instructions from a physician, and taking medication properly. Patients with inadequate health literacy are more likely to be hospitalized than patients with adequate skills. Patients understand medical information better when spoken to slowly, simple words are used, and a restricted amount of information is presented. For optimal comprehension and compliance, patient education material should be written at a sixth-grade or lower reading level, preferably including pictures and illustrations. All patients prefer reading medical information written in clear and concise language. Physicians should be alert to this problem because most patients are unwilling to admit that they have literacy problems. (Am Fam Physician 2005;72:463-8. Copyright© 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians.)

The National Institute for Literacy serves as a national resource for adult education and literacy programs, coordinates literacy services and policy, and provides leadership for literacy in the United States. The Institute disseminates information on scientifically based reading research pertaining to children, youth, and adults as well as information about development and implementation of classroom reading programs based on the research. A great resource for articles and statistics.

This press release describes resident Bush's call for financial literacy, as he enstates an advisory board called the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. President Bush recognizes the connection between financial literacy and the current economic crisis. This is a very informative source on the current events of the government, and a great depiction of Great Bush's view of the importance of financial literacy.

Wanjek discusses how low health literacy negatively affects the nation. Health complications and possible death are the most deleterious problems affecting people with low health literacy. Unnecessary spending by the health industry is another problem causing inpatient spending to increase by approximately $1000. Because of the effects of low literacy, the nation's health is compromised and the cost of healthcare thus escalates to billions of dollars annually. Wanjek makes intriguing points, but most of his information is taken from another study.

The article explores how literacy reforms alter the issues of identity, and cites the influence of technology on student's literacy skills. The author said that the emergence of MySpace site, Facebook, and cellphone cameras have changed the way young people communicate and write, and informed a statement from a young adolescent girl which validates the literacy changes. He also stressed several intriguing developments which allow students to manipulate and play with their identities, and informs that students spend much more time reading and writing online.

Nutbeam describes the importance of improving access to health information and the capacity to use it effectively as a public health goal. Because strategies include more personal forms of communication and community-based educational outreach, a reduction in low health literacy would be possible and the end goal would result in individuals being more involved in their health care decisions. This would empower them. Nutbeam makes a reasonable point for health literacy as a public health goal as a means for reducing low health literacy.

Wilder discusses how the communication problems with health professional can negatively impact the outcome of medical care for patients with low health literacy skills. Because of the way health information is presented by clinicians, patients have trouble comprehending what is said. Because patients are expected to play an active role in their own medical care and treatment, it is necessary that health information be given in ways that patients and families can understand. Low literacy gets in the way of good health care and leads to more health problems in patients. Wilder makes a good case for the importance of good communication techniques in health matters.

The Report discusses how nearly half of all American adults have difficulty understanding and using health information. Many patients do not always understand health information, so they get less preventative health care and use expensive health services such as emergency care more frequently. By incorporating health knowledge into the existing curricula of kindergarten through 12th grades classes, as well as into adult education community programs, confusion in health literacy can be eliminated. The IOM makes valid points and suggestions for ending the confusion with health literacy.

The authors discuss the serious consequences of low health literacy for individual health and the added demands it places on the health care system. Problems resulting from low literacy cause increased health complications and increased hospitalization for patients. Because of the inability for patients to understand medical instructions and directives by health professionals, many patients experience more health problems which lead to additional health care expenditures, translating to billions of dollars for the nation. The authors make important points, but much research is based on studies from a single public hospital. However, the facts presented provide valid information.

This article disscuses on problems faced with literacy in athletic training. It touches on the fact that in order to engage in athletic activities, they must be able by athletic training educators to ingage knowledge and skills, as well as information literacy.

The Educational Testing Service, the nonprofit group behind the SAT, Graduate Record Examination and other college tests, has developed a new test that it says can assess students' ability to make good critical evaluations of the vast amount of material available to them.

The report discusses how the complexity of medical information affects the health of the patient. The terminology used by doctors and other health professionals contribute to low literacy in patients, and because of the difficulty patients have understanding medical information, health outcomes of patients are jeopardized. The report makes interesting points that expose the unnecessarily complex and confusing language doctors insist on using when talking to patients.

Paula Bone discusses the relationship between several aspects of the mortgage process. She discusses that the more well informed the consumer is, the more likely he/she will have a better relationship with the mortgage company, and become more satisfied with their purchase. Also, she discusses the other side of the transaction. The more likely a mortgage company is to engage in immoral practices, the more dissatisfied the consumer will be with their loan. This is an interesting way to look at the mortgage crisis. It correlates to my point of the need for financial literacy in high schools. If people were more cognizant about their mortgages, they would be more likely to catch a mistake and be happier with their loans.

Good for background information.

This source was an article about the Nutrtion Labeling and Education Act. This act was passed in the 1990s. The article addresses the background and purpose of the act and how it changed food packaging. The study itself is done in three parts evalating field study, lab study, and longitudinal data. This article was very informative as far as the field study. They observed and questioned grocery shoppers. The information was from 2002, so it is slightly dated.

This article from ERIC, the Education Resources Information Center, a great free database for anyone doing research related to education, discusses aliteracy among college students. The PDF format is available via the link at the top of the page. It would be beneficial for all students to check out because it is an example of a well-written, college-level research paper.