Health Literacy

RESEARCH ABOUT THE LITERACY PROBLEM & DESIGNING EASY-TO-READ MATERIALS: top of page
Teaching Patients with Low Literacy Skills 2nd Edition, 1995
	by: Cecilia C. Doak, M.P.H., Leonard G. Doak, P.E., and Jane H. Root, Ph.D. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, A Wolters Kluwer Company, 227 East Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3780 ISBN: 0-397-55161-4 order: (800) 777-2295 web: http://lww.com/store/products?0-397-55161-4
This guide shows how to develop various types of patient teaching materials, assess the suitability of materials, help patients understand health teaching, motivate patients to comply with health care instructions, use visuals to communicate, teach with technology, reduce material development costs, and more.
Document Design: A Review of the Relevant Research 1980 (reprinted 1989)
	American Institutes for Research, Information Design Center, 3333 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007-3541 phone: (202) 342-5059
Literacy & Dependency: The Literacy Skills of Welfare Recipients in the United States 1995
	by: Barton, P., and Jenkins, L. Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ order: (609) 734-5694
Adult Literacy in America: A First Look at the Results of the National Adult Literacy Survey September 1993
	by: Kirsch, I., Jungeblut, A., Jenkins, L., and Kolstad, A. National Center for Education Statistics, 555 New Jersey Avenue NW Washington, DC 20208-5646 phone: (202) 219-1675 web: http://nces.ed.gov/nadlits/naal92/
A New Measure for Assessing Document Complexity: The PMOSE/IKIRSCH Document Readability Formula May 1998
	by: Mosenthal, P. and Kirsh, I. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, International Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Road, PO Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139 phone: (302) 731-1600 fax: (302) 731-1057
THE HEALTH LITERACY PROBLEM & THE SOLUTION: top of page
The Relationship of Patient Reading Ability to Self-Reported Health and Use of Health Services June 1997
	by: Baker, D. et al. American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association (APHA), Subscriptions, Department 5037, Washington, DC 20061-5037 phone: (202) 777-2462 fax: (202) 777-2534
Health Literacy and the Risk of Hospital Admission December 1998
	by: Baker, D. et al. Journal of General Internal Medicine, Blackwell Science, Inc., Commerce Place, 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5018 phone: (781) 388-8250 fax: (781) 388-8255
The Prevalence of Low Literacy in an Indigent Psychiatric Population February 1999
	by: Christensen, R. and Grace, G. Psychiatric Services, American Psychiatric Publishing Group, Circulation Department, 1400 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005 order: (800) 368-5777 phone: (202) 682-6240 fax: (202) 682-6189 web: http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/50/2/262
Reading Ability of Parents Compared with Reading Level of Pediatric Patient Education Materials March 1994
	by: Davis, T. et al. Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 141 Northwest Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927 phone: (847) 981-7903 fax: (847) 228-5088 web: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/93/3/460
Health Literacy Among Medicare Enrollees in a Managed Care Organization February 1999
	by: Gazmararian, J. et al Journal of the American Medical Association, Subscriber Services Center, American Medical Association, PO Box 10945, Chicago, IL 60610 phone: (800) AMA-2350 or (312) 670-7827 fax: (312) 464-5831 web: http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v281n6/full/joc81424.html
The Stanford Nutrition Action Program: A Dietary Fat Intervention for Low-Literacy Adults December 1997
	by: Howard-Pitney, B. et al. American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association (APHA), Subscriptions, Department 5037, Washington, DC 20061-5037 phone: (202) 777-2462 fax: (202) 777-2534
Recall, Retention, Utilization and Acceptability of Written Health Education Materials 1995
	by: Newell, S., Girgis, A., Sanson-Fisher, RW Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Public Health Association of Australia, Subscriptions Coordinator, PO Box 319, Curtin ACT 2605, Australia phone: (02) 6285 2373 fax: (02) 6282 5438
Easy-to-Read Consumer Communications: A Missing Link in Medicaid Managed Care February 1999
	by: Root, J. and Stableford, S. Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law, Duke University Press, UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research, 3250 Public Policy Building, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656 phone: (310) 794-4260 fax: (310) 206-0337
Patient Literacy: A Barrier to Quality of Care December 1998
	by: Roter, D., Rudd, R., Comings, J. Journal of General Internal Medicine, Blackwell Science, Inc., Commerce Place, 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5018 phone: (781) 388-8250 fax: (781) 388-8255
The Relationship Between Literacy and Health
	by: Weiss, BD, Hart, G., Pust, R. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Journals Subscriptions Manager, SAGE Publications LTD, 6 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4PU, UK fax: 44 (0)171 374 8741
LEGAL WRITING IN PLAIN ENGLISH / LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF PLAIN ENGLISH: top of page
Plain English for Lawyers 2nd Edition, 1997
	by: Asprey, Michele Annandale, NSW, Australia: The Federation Press, Gaunt Law Book Publishers & Distributors order: (800) 942-8683
MDs' Failure to Use Plain Language Can Lead to the Courtroom October 1996
	by: Gordon, Deborah Canadian Medical Association Journal, Canadian Medical Association, Member Service Centre, 1867 Alta Vista Dr., Ottawa ON K1G 3Y6, CANADA phone: (888) 855-2555 or (613) 731-8610 ext. 2307 fax: (613) 236-8864 web: http://www.cma.ca/cmaj/vol-155/issue-8/1152.htm
Literacy, Health, and the Law. An Exploration of the Law and the Plight of Marginal Readers Within the Health Care System: Advocating for Patients and Providers
	by: Health Literacy Project Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc., 311 Juniper Street, Suite 308, Philadelphia, PA 19107 order: (215) 546-1276
How to Write Regulations and Other Legal Documents in Clear English
	by: Redish, Janet American Institutes for Research, Information Design Center, 3333 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007-3541 phone: (202) 342-5059
FOCUS GROUPS & FIELD TESTING: top of page
The Focus Group Kit
	by: Morgan, D. and Kruger, R. eds. Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA phone: (805) 499-9774 fax: (805) 499-0871
IMPACT OF MARGINAL LITERACY ON HEALTH & HEALTHCARE: top of page
Health Literacy: Report of the Council on Scientific Affairs February 1999
	by: Ad Hoc Committee on Health Literacy for the Council on Scientific Affairs Journal of the American Medical Association, Subscriber Services Center, American Medical Association, PO Box 10945, Chicago, IL 60610 phone: (800) AMA-2350 or (312) 670-7827 fax: (312) 464-5831 web: http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v281n6/full/jcn80003.html
Reading Skills & Family Planning Knowledge & Practices in a Low Income Managed Care Population February 1999
	by: Gazmarian, J., Parker, R., Baker, D. Obstetrics & Gynecology, Elsevier Science, Regional Sales Office, Customer Support Department, P.O. Box 945, New York, N.Y. 10159-0945 phone: (888) 4ES-INFO (437-4636) or (212) 633-3730 fax: (212) 633-3680
Illiteracy: The Silent Barrier to Health Care February 1999
	by: Kefalides, P. Annals of Internal Medicine, Subscriber Services Center, American Medical Association, PO Box 10945, Chicago, IL 60610 phone: (800) AMA-2350 or (312) 670-7827 fax: (312) 464-5831 web: http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals/16feb99/currilli.htm
Why Literacy Matters: Links Between Reading Ability and Health January 1999
	by: Lee, P. Archives of Ophthalmology, Subscriber Services Center, American Medical Association, PO Box 10945, Chicago, IL 60610 phone: (800) AMA-2350 or (312) 670-7827 fax: (312) 464-5831
COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING: top of page
Marketing Public Health: Strategies to Promote Social Change 1998
	by: Siegel, M. and Doner, L. Aspen Publishers, Distribution Center, 7201 McKinney Circle, Frederick, MD 21701 phone: (800) 638-8437 or (301) 698-7100 fax: (301) 417-7550 or (301) 695-7931 web: http://www.aspenpub.com/pg10711.html#499
SOURCES OF EASY-TO-READ PATIENT EDUCATION MATERIALS: top of page
Maine AHEC Health Literacy Center
	University of New England, Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 phone: (207) 283-0170 ext. 2205 fax: (207) 286-9493
80+ copier reproducible health education pamphlets.
Health Literacy Project
	Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 311 Juniper Street, Suite 308, Philadelphia, PA 19107 phone: (215) 546-1276 fax: (215) 545-1395
Multicultural, copier reproducible health education pamphlets especially suitable for African American and Hispanic populations.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
	Information Center, P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 phone: (301) 251-1222
8 pamphlets about heart health topics in Spanish and English for Latinos. Also offered are pamphlets about heart health topics in a series for African Americans.
National Cancer Institute
	Public Inquiries Office, Bldg. 31, Rm. 10A03, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-2580 phone: (301) 435-3848 fax: (301) 402-0894
Easy-to-read pamphlets about self breast exam, mammography, and related women's health topics.
MedEd
	Media for Health Professionals, University of Washington, Mailstop 359932, 1001 Broadway, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98122 phone: (800) 677-4799
Easy-to-read pamphlets and photo novellas especially suitable for Hispanic populations.
ETR Associates
	Customer Service Department, P.O. Box 1830, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1830 phone: (831) 438-4060
Easy-to-read materials about sexuality and reproduction for teens and adults in English and Spanish.
Channing L. Bete Co., Inc.
	200 State Road, South Deerfield, MA 01372-0200 phone: (800) 477-4776
"Every Reader" series and "Real Style" series. Extensive selection of titles.
Stay Well
	1100 Grundy Lane, San Bruno, CA 94066-3030 phone: (800) 444-2015
Large variety of both booklets and tri-fold pamphlets about many subjects. Many materials are in Spanish also.
Philadelphia Health Management Corporation
	260 South Broad Street, Suite 1800, Philadelphia, PA 19102-5085 phone: (215) 985-2500 fax: (215) 985-2550
Publishes the "Role Model Stories", a series of 50 copier reproducible narratives about HIV, STD, and pregnancy prevention targeted to an African American audience. Most stories are for adults. Some are for teens.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
	3 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 phone: (301) 654-4415
Series of pamphlets about bladder control for women. Also a booklet about kidney stones.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
	1 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 phone: (301) 654-3327
Series of booklets for diabetes about food management and diabetes medications.
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
	2 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3570 phone: (301) 654-3810
Booklets about Hepatitis A, B, and C.
Education Programs Associates
	1 West Campbell Avenue, Suite 45, Campbell, CA 95088-1039 phone: (408) 374-3720
Limited number of materials (of excellent quality) about reproductive and sexuality issues for young women. Also some professional materials and audio tapes.
Journeyworks Publishing
	P.O. Box 8466, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-8466 phone: (800) 775-1998 fax: (800) 775-5853
Extensive catalogue of materials on a wide range of topics, grade levels 4-8, most but not all targeted to young adults. Spanish versions of many pamphlets; a comic book series for some topics. Free samples.
SOURCES FOR CLIP ART: top of page
Dover Publications, Inc.
	31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 11501 phone: (516) 294-7000
Dover clip art books are inexpensive and the drawings are "clean" (i.e. not shaded). We have changed some figures to bring them up to date.
Graphics Products Corporation
	1480 South Wolf Road, Wheeling, IL 90090 phone: (708) 537-9300
Books are inexpensive, like Dover, and some are more up to date than Dover. Drawings are sometimes less "clean", but useful. They will send you a catalogue.
North Light Clip Art
	North Light Books, 1507 Dana Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45207 phone: (800) 289-0963
Books are inexpensive and current. Some of the health/medical illustrations are especially useful. The company bills itself as "the most up-to-date clip art available."
Dynamic Graphics, Inc.
	6000 North Forest Park Drive, P.O. Box 1901, Peoria, IL 61614-3592 phone: (800) 255-8800 or (309) 688-8800 fax: (800) 488-3492 or (309) 688-5873
This is a multimedia source. Hard copy books are in 3 ring binders and sell for $60 to $70. Electronic art is quite sophisticated. The company offers a subscriber service, to receive periodic updates. They also provide 1 to 3 day training sessions in many aspects of graphic production techniques.