Each of these fact sheets deals with one important aspect of health literacy. The Center for Health Care Strategies prepared these fact sheets in 1997 with the last one completed in 1998 in collaboration with the National Academy on an Aging Society. Two years later, we are beginning to see more signs of recognition of the health care problems associated with low literacy. The AMA Foundation's initiative in this area is one of the important signs of progress. We acknowledge the work of Linda S. Potter, Dr.
Health literacy is the ability to read, understand, and act on health care information.
Poor health literacy is a problem that affects people of all social classes. Health Literacy and Understanding Medical Information Patients with poor literacy skills have a hard time understanding basic medical instructions. Strategies to Improve Patient Education Materials People at all literacy levels prefer simple, attractive materials. This landmark Institute of Medicine report lays out a comprehensive strategy for government, industry, consumers, and health providers to reduce medical errors, and calls upon Congress to create a national patient safety center to develop new tools and systems needed to address persistent problems. For further information or resources on health literacy, or if you have questions or suggestions for future Fact Sheets, please let us know.