HEALTH LITERACY
By: Jane Raymundo Arenas, PA-C
| “Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without.” -William Sloane Coffin, Jr. |
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This same time last year, we looked to address diversity and disability for the upcoming year. The articles submitted by traditional and non-traditional students were enlightening. I look forward to next year’s competition which will focus on HEALTH LITERACY.
Health Literacy is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.” (Ratzan and Parker, 2000). Health literacy problems occur with all populations and, therefore, are a diversity issue. Poor health literacy is likely to negative influence any patient’s prognosis. Consequently, this will result in more frequent Emergency Department visits and hospitalization.
Health literacy has a greater impact on minorities and the elderly. Those of lower socioeconomic status are also likely to be impaired by issues related to health literacy. Not only is health literacy important for patient compliance, it is also important in improving/promoting quality of life.
The key is communicating effectively. For many patients poor health literacy is a source of shame and it disempowers them. This is a barrier that we as health care providers must help our patients overcome. To do so, we must start with our willingness to change how we communicate to accommodate the patients and their family members. We, as Physician Assistants, have a duty to offer information including options to our patients. These options should include choices they understand, choices that are attainable, and choices that is acceptable on a cultural and ethical basis.
Please join the Diversity Council in helping to improve health care across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The deadline for this year’s writing competition is March 31, 2007. As in 2006, there will be three categories: traditional student, non-traditional graduate student, and fellow. If you are not interested in submitting an article, consider judging the entries we receive. For more information, contact me at jarenas@pct.edu.
| “If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.” -Margaret Mead |
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