Health Literacy Committee

“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

The Health Literacy Committee is a regional partnership between Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network, Inc., SSAY Rural Health Network and Steuben Rural Health Network, as well as many health and human service agencies, whose objectives are to:

• Increase awareness and support of health literacy as a determinant of patient health and well-being
• Identify methodologies and tools for preparing health messages for the general public

The committee meets on a monthly basis, every FIRST WEDNESDAY from 9:00 - 10:30 AM. in Alfred, New York.

The following training’s have been developed and are available for consumers and health and human service providers - click on link to move to that topic on this page

The Building Blocks of Health Literacy
My Health, My Choice, My Responsibility
Raising the Consciousness of Health Literacy - prerequisite for “Train-the-Trainer” Course
Raising the Consciousness of Health Literacy - “Train-the-Trainer” Course

This half-day session provides a basic overview of Health Literacy concepts targeting healthcare professionals, human service agencies, and consumers.

participants will:

• Increase awareness about health literacy as a determinant of patient health and well-being
• Increase awareness of health literacy’s impact on the healthcare system including providers and consumers
• Identify strategies to promote health literacy in rural practices to benefit both the providers and consumers

Help your consumers become self-advocates through Health Literacy. This 2.5 hour consumer-based workshop provides the tools and skills necessary to become an informed consumer for healthcare services.

participants will:

• Feel empowered about his / her health and well-being
• Learn to ask key questions at doctor’s appointments to help end confusion
• Improve communication with his / her doctor
• Identify important healthcare professionals who can help consumers better understand his / her health
• Feel comfortable and get the most from visiting his / her healthcare provider
• Become more knowledgeable about Health Literacy

This one-day session provides a hands-on application of health literacy techniques targeting healthcare professionals and human service agencies.

participants will:

• Understand basic principals of health literacy
• Identify adult literacy’s impact on healthcare disparities
• Practice techniques for creating more effective prose, document and quantitative information
• Identify at least two different methods for assessing functional and health literacy skills at their practice
• Role-model effective techniques to address health literacy

Train-the-Trainers course available for health and human service organizations, health care personnel and agencies promoting health and wellness. Raising the Consciousness of Health Literacy is comprised of the following elements:

 I. Skill Building for Facilitators

 II. Raising the Consciousness of Health Literacy

   A. What is Health Literacy?
   B. Health Literacy Facts
   C. Adult Literacy and the Written Word
   D. Assessing Written Materials
   E. Creating Print Materials
   F. Environmental Assessments and Health Literacy
   G. Health Literacy Talking Points for Professionals

III. Putting Your Skills to Use