801e Literacy

Question 1

general literacy

Answer 1

ability to use printed information to function in society, achieve one’s goals, & develop one’s knowledge & potential

Question 2

health literacy

Answer 2

ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions

Question 3

US reading levels

Answer 3

• US adults: 8th grade
• medicaid: 5th grade
• low income elderly: 5th grade

Question 4

which race has the highest below basic literacy?

Answer 4

hispanics at 41%

Question 5

which age group has the highest below basic literacy?

Answer 5

65+

Question 6

risk groups for low literacy

Answer 6

school drop outs, low income, minority, recent immigrants, non-english speakers, elderly

Question 7

health implications of low literacy

Answer 7

poor health knowledge, poor health status, more hospitalizations, higher health care costs

Question 8

steps to improving communication in an exam room

Answer 8

1. talk slowly
2. explain things in plain english
3. use teach back
4. use patient-friendly written material

Question 9

patient friendly written materials

Answer 9

text at 5th or 6th grade level, avoid medical terms, avoid words w/ >2 syllables, use bulleted lists, lots of white space, pictures, no irrelevant information