Health Literacy Month: Tools to help improve health literacy

Each October, health professionals and organizations across the country celebrate Health Literacy Month. It’s a time to remember the importance of health literacy. And for the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership, it’s also a great time to share ways you and other health professionals can improve health literacy within your organization and community.

Below are several great resources to help you and your organization advocate for and improve health literacy – now or anytime during the year

Ask Me 3®

Our theme for this year’s Health Literacy Month is Ask Me 3®. Health information is not clear at times. The Ask Me 3® program run by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement can help. The program gives you three questions to ask your healthcare provider during a healthcare visit, either for yourself or for a loved one. They are:

• What is my main problem?
• What do I need to do?
• Why is it important for me to do this?

Asking questions can help you be an active member of your healthcare team.

For more information on Ask Me 3® and to view a helpful video on how to use the questions, please visit www.npsf.org/askme3.Ask Me 3® is a registered trademark licensed to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

More resources:

Ask Me 3 Program Implementation Guide for Health Care Organizations

Ask Me 3 Brochure(for patients)

Ask Me 3 Poster

Ask Me 3 Training

Ask Me 3 Video

Healthy literacy 101

The Health Literacy 101 programis designed to help educate health professionals about health literacy. Resources include presentations, speaker notes, activities, and pre- and post-tests.

Plain language campaign

Plain language is about using simple, easy-to-understand words. It’s communication that your audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. The plain language campaignincludes resources such as presentations, social media posts, and interactive activities.

Teach-back program

Encouraging patients to repeat their health recommendations back to their provider is a simple method to increase understanding and health literacy. The teach-back programincludes a video, presentation, and program guide.

Free Health Literacy Month webinars

In honor of Health Literacy Month, Health Literacy Innovations is hosting a series of free webinars. Click the links below to register.

Health Literate Disability Information: A Unique Online Tool from Exceptional Lives| October 17

Advancing Health Literacy in Your Organization| October 25

Reproductive Health Literacy, a Teachable Moment for Mothers and Fathers| October 31