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Health Literacy:

Health care now occupies 18% of the GDP of the U.S. at almost $2.5 trillion per year in expenditures. Now, more than ever before, young people are expected to make complex choices regarding hospitals and physicians, and individuals will bear increasing financial risk and responsibility.

On January 28-29, 2009 in Washington, D.C., the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN), with the support of the United Health Foundation (UHF), gathered together 30 experts and leaders from the fields of education, health and philanthropy for the symposium Health Literacy in the 21st Century: Setting an Education Agenda. During these two days, the symposium’s participants began a dialogue about what kind of K-12 educational infrastructure will be needed to prepare current and future students to participate in the 21st century’s health and health care systems.

The proceedings from the symposium, as well as the white papers that were commissioned provide valuable resources for those interested in pursuing this discussion. Implementation of the strategies proposed for schools and their partners will help to ensure that the next generations of health consumers are better prepared for the challenges they face. For more information on the symposium, please email Nora Howley at NEA HIN.

Executive Summary

Critical Need in the 21st Century

A healthy population is critical to our nation’s future. What makes health literacy
an urgent issue in today’s — and tomorrow’s — complex world of health information and services is the simple fact that consumers, more than ever before, have the opportunity and responsibility to manage their own and their family’s health care...Read More

Framing the Issue

The definition of health literacy endorsed by the symposium’s participants is that found in the National Health Education Standards: Health literacy is the capacity of an individual to obtain, interpret and understand basic health information and services and the competence to use such information and services in ways that are health-enhancing...Read More

Robust Discussions

Symposium participants aligned around several major constructs regarding health literacy upon which further dialogue can productively build...Read More

Conclusion

The Health Literacy Symposium’s rich discussion of the issues and opportunities surrounding health literacy generated a foundational alignment around key themes as well as provocative ideas for advancing health literacy within today’s school environment. Participants strongly advocated continuing the dialogue and, especially, pursuing broader engagement of additional stakeholders.

Download the Proceedings and Individual White Papers

Resources

National Health Education Standards: Achieving Excellence:

The National Health Education Standards, developed by a coalition of health education organizations and professionals from across the country, set out expectations for what students should know and be able to do by grades 2, 5, 8 and 12 to promote personal, family and community health. The standards provide a framework for curriculum development and selection, instruction and student assessment in health education.

STANDARD 1
Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.

STANDARD 2
Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology and other factors on health behaviors.

STANDARD 3
Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products and services to enhance health.

STANDARD 4
Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.

STANDARD 5
Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.

STANDARD 6
Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.

STANDARD 7
Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

STANDARD 8
Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family and community health.