Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership Blog ~ Provider Education
Making health information understandable and jargon-free
Posted by MHLPadmin on Sep 21, 2018
Nearly 90% of Americans have difficulty using everyday health information that is routinely available. That makes it harder for patients to understand their options and make responsible, well-informed health decisions.
Let's talk about Plain Language
Posted by MHLPadmin on Oct 15, 2010
One best practice for improving health literacy is to use plain language. Plainlanguage.gov describes plain language as "communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it". Written material is in plain language if your audience can:
Happy Health Literacy Month!
Posted by MHLPadmin on Oct 07, 2010
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” (Healthy People 2010).
We know that health literacy involves more than just patients. I like to think of health literacy as being influenced by three areas:
1. The patient's ability to obtain, understand and act on health information.
Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative
Posted by MHLPadmin on Sep 30, 2010
The African & American Friendship Association for Cooperation 
and Development, Inc., in partnership with Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment, Inc. and International Institute of Minnesota, Inc., has been awarded a grant of $200,000 for one year from the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health to implement a project under the Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative.