Health Literacy Efforts

Health literacy is key to ending the pandemic. And we are 100% focused on this effort.

More, health messages are critical. And they protect health and save lives. We provide these key messages. But we also take an extra step. Namely, we provide smart tools and resources to support these messages. And it is simple. It is to promote health literacy by providing clear guidance. And this is with regard to both the science and public health surrounding the virus.

Research has shown that for health messages to become adopted, they need support. More, this has more impact and leads to lasting change. Further, the best approach to achieve this is to build them into the system.

In the broad context of what we do, health does not just apply to medicine, but can relate to well-being, too. More, we care about things like personal security, driving safety and other aspects of our daily life. Furthermore, we identify issues and work to inform those impacted by them. Namely, we want to communicate clear messages to enable individuals and organizations to make informed decisions.

And so looking at literacy itself, some key goals are:

• Emphasize people’s ability to use health information rather than just understand it
• Also focus on the ability to make “well-informed” decisions rather than “appropriate” ones
• And incorporate a public health perspective, too
• Last, acknowledge that organizations have a responsibility to address health literacy

Audience

There is also a distinction between informing individuals and informing organizations. Depending on the need, the messages may differ. And the strategy developed to deliver those key messages may be different, too.

By definition, Personal health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.

By definition, Organizational health literacy is the degree to which organizations equitably enable individuals to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.

Certain issues may impact individuals only. Thus, different communication strategies may need to be followed. And in some instances, our work may focus on just individuals or just organizations.

Following is a talk that introduces this. It is by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Health Literacy and impact

Researchers have long known the negative link between limited health literacy and poor health. More, this has been documented with the use of limited preventative services and the long-term management of chronic conditions. More, this link has also been found in preventable hospital visits.

A key report discusses how health literacy is a key factor in health disparities. Further, it discusses how techniques and interventions from the field of health communication are successfully closing this gap.

There are several approaches and strategies that can be employed to close these gaps. But they will vary with each issue.

Tools and Approach

There are a number of standards often followed to foster health literacy. But this guide is only a general overview and introduction. And therefore, it is limited.

COVID-19 is our entire focus. And it requires a “society wide approach.” Some of the elements of this approach include:

• Communication skills of health professionals
• Next, framing and knowledge of complex issues by the media and public health professionals
• Also clarity and accuracy of health information
• More, cultural and linguistic targeting of health information
• Public health infrastructure that facilitates and supports key preventative messages
• Last, community, educational, and workplace infrastructures that facilitate and support access to health information

Our philosophical approach is important to support these efforts, too. And it is influenced by the field of urban planning.  We believe that the best results happen when solutions are integrated within the system. This is especially important with COVID-19 preventative measures. Examples are everywhere. And they include social distancing and mask requirements in public areas.

We support this framework with several programs . They include a range of efforts from handing out masks early in the pandemic to creating new messages and campaigns.

We believe vaccinations is key to ending the pandemic. And they are safe and highly effective. More, they impact everyone. Last, we show uninsured individuals that there is no cost. 

Testing is key to halting the virus. And this includes those that are already vaccinated or are between doses. This, we support this with powerful tools and more.

In January, 2020, we began our effort to promote masks as a safeguard against the virus. That month, we also began collecting data on masks. And we also began handing out masks to send a key health message. 

Even for the vaccinated, they are still key. And many are not eligible for the vaccine. This, our messaging focuses on the benefits of wearing a mask. And underscores the proper method to wear them and other key steps.

As an extension of Covid literacy, we support other key steps, too. That is, with community efforts, web tools and more. 

A program for the uninsured has been established to pay service providers directly for key health services. And it covers consultations, testing, treatment, vaccination and emergency transport. However, many are unaware that it exists. In this case, Covid literacy encourages uninsured individuals to receive help.

Later in the year, we will put a spotlight on the need for long-term research. And one of our key goals is to prevent the next pandemic.  In the future we will be fundraising to support it.

This discusses our Covid-19 focus. It takes a broad effort to halt the virus. And here are some of our programming efforts. Others are in development, too.

Safety Information and Tools

• Namely, build and support online tools
• Also create and support health messages
• More, collect preventative data for health messages
• Additionally, Support online information
• Also support other organizations/efforts
• (In Development) Launch PSA campaign

Community Support

• Providing masks as a preventative measure
• Create and distribute literature
• Meet with socially-isolated groups
• Identify key target areas and tailoring messages
• Develop campaigns for prevention

Wider Support Network

• First, support COVID-19 uninsured benefits education
• Also support vaccine literacy and efforts
• Separately, we lobby state and federal agencies to adopt key messages and approaches

Future Program

In the future, our COVID-19 focus will continue. And one of our key goals is to support longterm research.  Consequently, our support will continue for many years. And it is key to preventing the next pandemic. 

Online tools and resources are critical for ongoing support. And they also support change. Moreover, we design, build and manage them.

On our homepage, we publish a newsfeed dedicated exclusively to COVID-19. And many of the topics are exclusive. Separately, we also support professionals working in the field to spread messages, too.

Providing accurate health information is key. And we were the first nonprofit in North America develop a campaign. More, our work continues today. 

Today, we are working to launch several national campaigns. And in part, is to provide ongoing support and for vaccinations.

We first prepared handout literature in December, 2019. And we continue creating it today. Moreover, this is critical in specific isolated regions and communities.

In January 2020, we began collecting data on mask wearing. And we also began efforts to hand out masks. Today , we continue supporting messages on masks.

Starting in January 2020, we began conducting surveys to determine the level of mask compliance. Thus, this data are key to determine where to focus resources. More, it accurately predicted vaccination rates.

Today, we only focus on COVID-19. And we achieve this with multiple programs including community out-reach, campaigns and other support efforts, too. More, in the long-term, we will also support research.

HealthMessages.org

“Health” relates to public health, safety and security. It can include issues like cybersecurity. “Messages” is a mandate to provide a wide spectrum of information to promote health literacy. But it can include action such as providing critical safety supplies. “Org” means that we are a nonprofit 501(c(3). We are here to support public health and promote health literacy efforts.

Illustration by Maria Shukshina