Health Literacy: Additional Resources

6 1/2 minute video gives an illustration of the problem of low health literacy. Real patients.

23 minutes. Real Patients outline how their low literacy levels affects understanding of
medication directions and diagnoses, keeping appointments, and following
treatment plans. One scenario presents how embarrassment of not knowing how to fill out a form leads to not going back to the office...and later admission to a preventable emergency room admission. Solutions include shame free environments through being alert to clues (as social history, medication review with their actual pills), engaging entire staff, and improved communication skills

UNNATURAL CAUSES criss-crosses the country investigating the stories and findings that are shaking up conventional notions about what makes us healthy or sick. It turns out there’s much more to our well-being than genes, behaviors and medical care. The social, economic, and physical environments in which we are born, live and work profoundly affect our longevity and health – as much as smoking, diet and exercise.