English 102 - Fall 2008

This source talks about the traffic light labeling used int he UK and Australia. This source is very crucial to my research because it explains the traffic light labeling and that is a large part of my paper. Also it gets consumer reactions to the system and that will be essential to my paper as well. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=34776317&site=ehost-live

This experiment was a survey given to random shoppers. The article concluded, as many, that there was no conslusive evidence of anything basically. Level of reading labels again varied but the source's backgroung may be useful to my paper. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35436363&site=ehost-live

This article talks about fast food and its impact on this generation. It involves McDonald's legal battles with people becoming obese. This article has insite the obesity issue, that will be helpful to my paper. The outlook had good percentages to age to college kids consuming fast food.

This article focuses the decline in reading in this generation. It is a very general topic of literacy and does not focus on nutrition at all. It is useful to me for statistics. It has great percentages I can use to support many of the points I want to make. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35041956&site=ehost-live

This study done by Holmes and others focused on mostly white UK households aimed to achieve goals. It compares three dietary survey methods and identifies which method is valid and acceptable in the UK households. This source of research that shows surveys work. It is slightly off from my focus topic but is helpful in confirming certain other tests. The fact that it is done in the UK helps diversify the location and add to the validity of other results. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=32804348&site=ehost-live

This source contains vital statistics that will be pertanent to my research. The background info is repetative to the nature of the NLEA. It discuesses the new food labeling system and how and why to use it. Also it is current and focuses on the "looking" at labels, which relates to literacy

this program is one of the top educational programs for kids. This page is a summary of the program and explains to parents and teacher why it is helpful

This resource is from the UK so its background is very helpful in the traffic light system. Also the results may be helpful to add to my paper. This article is very helpful becuase it is extremely current. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=33159157&site=ehost-live

This article discusses diabetes. It goes into the background and outlook of the disease. DIscussing how manageable it is. This article is off topic but can be a good side note to the obesity epidemic. I can use it to support the diseases caused by overeating and under-exercising.

This article is about college students health choices. The study adresses college students choices in food purchasing based on label reading. The case studies purchasing choices after the experiment , this can be useful to my study. Also the introduction can help support my research.

This article adresses obesity increasing in the US. It is less current (1999) but still useful facts about the background of over-eating. The chronology is useful to my research. Also the article has good background that I can use in my introduction.

This article addressed the increasing obesity in the US. The article is helpful becuase of its focus of the unhealthy aspects of over-eating. I can use its mention of the food industry seeling high-suger, high-fat foods. This can be useful in my introduction. Also it is current (2003).

Test article.

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.

Weiss discusses the scope of the health literacy problem, the barriers faced by patients with low literacy, and methods to foster verbal and written communication in low literacy patients. Low literacy is pervasive in the U.S. and causes an unnecessary financial and health burden. Because of the complicated health literature, most patients have inadequate understanding of what is said, and simple strategies can alleviate low health literacy problems. Weiss makes interesting and provocative points, but much of his observations are based on his medical practice.

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.

Vernon, lead author of this report, and fellow colleagues, discuss the economic inefficiency in the U.S. healthcare system caused by low health literacy. Annual costs to the U.S. economy are in the billion dollar range. The report shows that low health literacy is associated with lack of stable coverage and reliable health care access, a national health reform to improve health literacy would result in major savings as well as better health care. Vernon and associates make valid points to the cost of low health literacy to the economy.

The article discusses what health literacy is and what constitutes good health literacy. Cultural, language and communication barriers have great potential to lead to mutual misunderstandings between patients and their health care providers. Because these barriers lead to communication breakdowns, patient safety is jeopardized, so changes that will permit patients to receive more time, attention, education and understanding of their conditions and their care will help alleviate these obstacles.

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.

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.