The American Medical Association
defines health literacy as the ability to
read, understand and use health information to make appropriate health care
decisions and follow instructions for treatment. Adults with low health literacy do
not grasp a lot of the health information
that they read. This problem not only puts
employees at risk for health problems but
also adds up to billions of dollars in health
care costs each year.
“Studies show that people with literacy
problems have trouble following prescription directions and controlling chronic
health conditions,” said Bill Berenson, senior vice president of Aetna’s Small and
Middle Market Business for the North
Central Region. “They are also more likely
to be hospitalized for complications and
other health issues. Improving health literacy will help employees make better
informed health decisions and communicate more effectively with their doctors —
key factors that can have a significant
impact on health outcomes and costs.”
Smart Business spoke with Berenson
about raising health literacy awareness.
Why is health literacy a problem?
Medical journals state that most health
materials are written at the 10th-grade
reading level. Yet, literacy experts say that
a fifth-grade reading level is ideal. This gap
causes significant problems for people
with low literacy skills.
How many people have difficulty reading and
understanding health information?
According to the Institute of Medicine,
more than 90 million people have trouble
understanding health materials. That
means more than half of all adults are more
likely to be hospitalized, make mistakes
with their medications, have trouble following their doctor’s treatment plan and
get less-regular preventive care — all of
which put an employee’s health at risk.
Who is most at risk for problems associated
with poor health literacy?
At some point, most individuals will
encounter health information they cannot
understand. Even well-educated people
with strong reading and writing skills
might have trouble comprehending a medical form or doctor’s instructions. Older
people, immigrants and those with low
incomes are disproportionately more likely
to have trouble reading and understanding
health-related information.
How do people cope with low health literacy?
People with low health literacy are often
embarrassed or ashamed to admit they
have difficulty understanding health information and resources. They use well-practiced coping mechanisms that effectively
mask their problem. These might include
saying they forgot their eyeglasses to avoid
filling out forms or questionnaires, laughing about being forgetful when asked
about their medical condition or treatments, or nodding politely when the doctor
speaks, without asking any questions.
What are some steps people can take to
improve their health literacy skills?
Employers should encourage employees
to look for reliable online resources to educate themselves about health topics. When
visiting their doctor, people should take
time to ask questions when they do not
understand test results, instructions or
other health information. While some doctors might fear lengthy appointments,
research shows that if allowed to speak
freely, the average patient would initially
speak for less than two minutes.
What is health benefits literacy?
Health benefits literacy is the ability to
understand and navigate health insurance
options and benefits, and it is essential to
helping employees become well-informed
health care consumers. Increasing health
benefits literacy provides a pivotal opportunity for employers wanting to increase
the adoption rate of increasingly popular
consumer-directed health plans. Working
in partnership, health benefits providers
and employers should offer educational
materials in easy-to-understand formats,
along with credible health information and
tools that support informed decision-making.
How can employers help employees improve
their health literacy and health literacy benefits skills?
Employers can purchase products to
help employees improve their skills, such
as tool kits designed to help employers
engage, educate and motivate employees.
These can include materials like employee
letters, fact sheets, quizzes and newsletter
articles that employers can share with
employees. Employers can also direct
employees to online resources that provide
more information about their health benefits and financial choices. One site to visit is
www.PlanforYourHealth.com, which helps
people understand and make the most of
their health benefits.
BILL BERENSON is senior vice president of Aetna’s Small and
Middle Market Business for the North Central Region. Reach him
at (312) 928-3323 or [email protected].
