Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership Blog
Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast #55: Health Literacy Milestones and Opportunities
Posted by MHLPadmin on Mar 30, 2011
Dr. Ruth Parker is Professor of Medicine and Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is nationally recognized for her efforts in health literacy research, education, and health policy.
Dr. Parker’s accomplishments are many, including helping to develop the TOFHLA (Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults) and co-writing the health literacy definition included in many publications and initiatives including the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as “Health Care Reform”).
Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast #54: Dr. David Blumental Talks About Health Information Technology
Posted by MHLPadmin on Mar 03, 2011
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.
Hi Katie!
Posted by MHLPadmin on Sep 22, 2010
I am so pleased that MHLP is continuing our partnership with the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Katie Swanson is our new VISTA volunteer.
Katie is a Wisconsin native, but has a special love for Minnesota since she graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield. She most recently resided in Lakeside, Montana where she was an on-site program coordinator for Flathead Lutheran Camp.
Health Literacy for Seniors: Sharing our Success!
Posted by MHLPadmin on Sep 16, 2010
The Health Literacy Program for Minnesota Seniors (HeLP MN Seniors) hosted a wonderful celebration yesterday at Boutwells Landing Senior Living in Oak Park Heights, MN. Attendees at the event represented public health, health care, health literacy, medical library, and health education leaders, as well as participants from the pilot workshops. The HeLP MN Seniors team provided an overview of the program and also some demonstrations of workshop highlights.
Blogging For Better Health
Posted by MHLPadmin on Jul 19, 2010
Hello and welcome to the new blog from the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership. Here’s where you’ll find the latest and greatest news on everything about health literacy.
We’d love to hear what you’d like to see discussed in the future.
So, bookmark this blog, email to a friend/colleague or add our RSS feed, and let’s start raising awareness and support for health literacy in Minnesota.
Watch for regular posts to begin later this Fall.
Alisha Ellwood (first time blogger and Chair of the Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership)