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National WomenÕs Health Report Published by the
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Volume 26
Number 5

This publication was developed in partnership with the National Council on Patient Information and Education.

Published six times a year by National Women's Health Resource Center
157 Broad Street, Suite 315
Red Bank, NJ 07701
 
1-877-986-9422 (toll-free)
 

www.healthywomen.org

 

We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation
We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cover story:

Women & Health Literacy

Health literacy is a growing concern. Health care has created its own language and become so complex and difficult to understand that 90 million Americans are now estimated to be at risk due to low "health literacy," according to the Institute of Medicine. Some studies find that low health literacy is the single biggest contributor to poor health outcomes. Find out what is being done to tackle this severe and significant problem. Full story

Check and Recheck that Health Information Is Understood
Three real-life examples underscore the need for health care professionals to check and recheck a client's understanding of medical instructions as well as the consumers to question instructions they don't understand. Full story

Providing Culturally Sensitive Health Care
Today, 11 percent of people living in the U.S. were born in another country. By 2050, ethnic minorities will account for 47 percent of the national population, according to some estimates. Such diversity adds another layer of complexity to interactions between health care professionals and their clients. Researchers are developing interventions to increase health care professionals' cultural competency. Full story

Departments:

Lifestyle Corner: Face-to-Face With Your Health Care Professional by Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH
What is your role as a consumer in communication with health care professionals? Communication in any relationship is a two-way street, afterall, says Dr. Peeke. Find out the three questions you should always ask when you see a health care professional, including your dentist or your pharmacist. And see what tips Dr. Peeke has to offer for communicating online with health care professionals. Full story

Ages & Stages: Health Literacy and Older Patients
Health literacy affects older adults in disproportionate numbers. Experts estimate that two out of three adults age 60 and over have either inadequate or marginal literacy skills. One reason elderly people have more health literacy problems than younger patients may be related to their early education. Census data shows that fewer of today's older adults finished high school than the general population, with numbers even lower for older ethnic populations. See what experts recommend for health care professionals and elderly people to cope with this. Full story

Ask the Expert: Common Questions About Health Literacy
"How can I tell if one of my patients has a reading or other health literacy problem?" "My mother doesn't speak English is being treated for breast cancer. What arrangements can I make to be sure procedure information is translated for her and how does not speaking English affect 'informed consent' paperwork?"Full story

Resources
National organizations and Web sites for more information

References

 

© 2004 The National Women's Health Resource Center. All rights reserved. Reproduction of material published in the National Women's Health Report Online is encouraged with written permission from NWHRC.

Disclaimer

Women and Blood Donation
PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER
OCTOBER 2004