"In the News": October is Health Literacy Month!

Did you know:

• Low health literacy is linked to a higher risk of death and more emergency room visits and hospitalizations
• Health literacy may not be related to years of education or general reading ability.
• A person who functions adequately at home or work may have marginal or inadequate literacy in a health care environment.

Being able to access, analyze, and interpret health-related information is essential for our survival. We encounter moments on a daily basis where we need to be able to possess at least a basic level of health literacy in order to make informed decisions regarding our health and the health of our loved ones. When was the last time you found yourself at the drugstore debating which cold medicine is best or left the doctor's office having been diagnosed with a condition that you don't know much about? According to the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, "Health literacy is not simply the ability to read. It requires a complex group of reading, listening, analytical, and decision-making skills, and the ability to apply these skills to health situations" (NNLM, 2013). With the implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) starting on October 1st, librarians are needed now more than ever to assist patrons in trying to make sense of how to access health information, how to enroll in a health care plan, and where to go if they need further assistance in the process.

To help prepare librarians for this task, OCLC's WebJunction has put together a list of resources and information aimed at helping library staff improve public library eHealth services as well as help library staff respond to the increasing demand for information regarding the ACA. The Health Happens in Libraries website provides resources, webinars, and support for libraries responding to health information needs.

As a library technician manning the reference desk at my local public library, I see many opportunities to utilize the information and resources at the "Health Happens in Libraries" website to my advantage. As members of my community turn to their public library with questions regarding new healthcare laws, it is important that I stay up to speed on what kind of information is provided on my state's healthcare marketplace and be ready to teach basic health information literacy skills to patrons of all ages.

As I review this information and prepare for the onslaught of public library patrons coming to me for assistance with health-related matters, I consider several questions:

•  How can public libraries/librarians promote health literacy to the elderly and minority populations? Do we need more bilingual or large print materials to help provide information and guidance to these populations? Should we hold health literacy classes in Spanish or establish "seniors only" classes so we can better assist and provide instruction?
• If access is an issue for people who do not have the Internet at home, how can our library help provide equitable access? Should we increase computer time limits for those who are accessing health-related information in our computer labs?
• How can we make health-related information more visible on our library's website? Currently, there is a link in our "Library 24/7" page but can we provide a widget on the library's homepage so patrons do not have to hunt for health-related information on our website?

Increasing health literacy awareness in libraries will result in library staff who are equipped with the knowledge of a variety of resources that can be used to assist library patrons with their health information needs. Something as simple as increased signage can go a long way in helping get the word out to patrons that the library provides these resources for their benefit. By increasing the health literacy of our community members, our patrons can make better informed decisions regarding their health as well as learn how to access, analyze, and interpret health-related information for themselves and their families.


References

National Network of Libraries of Medicine. (n.d.). Health Literacy. Retrieved October 03, 2013, from National Network of Libraries of Medicine: http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/hlthlit.html