The Health Literacy of America's Adults - Part 3: Findings for Health Professionals

Part three in the series focuses on the unique role health care professionals have in the dissemination of health information for adults functioning at basic and below basic levels of health literacy. The message is simple. For the person with low literacy, the role of the health professional is profound.

Direct communication between people (as opposed to media) is a tried and true means of information sharing. Family, friend and co-workers can represent a powerful source of health information to aid in clinical, preventive or navigational activities in the health care system. These types of personal contacts are more likely to be used by adults who are proficient than those at lower levels of health literacy.

Those most at risk for health concerns (poor, elderly, uninsured, minority, etc) who are, on average also those with lower health literacy we find that they disproportionately rely on direct communication from a health care professional (doctor, nurse, therapist, counselor) as their most significant source of health information.

If we want to effect outcomes, reduce costs, prevent illness with the at risk population we will find that the means of communicating useful information will likely come from health professionals.

For insurers, this means it is in the best interest of the payer to cover educational programs targeting adults with basic and below basic health literacy. For the integrated health system...same deal.