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Maximizing Teachable Moments for Adult Education
The Multicultural Resource Center, Inc., in Seffner, Florida, provides GED preparation
classes and adult basic education classes for a diverse group of 18- to 83-year-old students.
Mitigating the disparity between what the health care system demands and the skills of the
students, staff at the Center create teachable moments to help students solve life issues and
challenges. Staff help to educate the students through such activities as group discussions,
certification classes, and guest speakers who talk about everyday challenges (e.g., reading
prescription labels). Significant achievements include a partnership with the First Missionary
Baptist Church to educate members of the community and the annual Multicultural Festival,
during which information about health care and educational services is distributed.
For more on this strategy, visit the townhall summary at
http://www.health.gov/communication/literacy/TownHall/fl.htm
Strategies for Educators and Community Service Providers
 % Support community-based programs that empower people to be more involved and active in
health and teach skills, such as computer use, to assist people in acquiring credible health
information
 % Infuse health literacy skills into curricula for adult literacy, ESOL, and family literacy programs
 % Facilitate collaborations among the adult literacy and ESOL communities; health care partners;
and community-, faith-, and academic-based organizations
 % Include high school, college, and professional school students in health literacy programs to
bridge cultural and generational divides
 % Collaborate with medical librarians to create health information centers in public libraries
 % Train more librarians and reference staff in health literacy skills and health information
technologies so they can help to build the health literacy skills of patrons
 % Create opportunities for health education and learning in communities through creative uses of
technology and multimedia
 % Provide professional development in health education topics and skills for those teaching adult
literacy, ESOL, and family literacy programs
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S ect i on 3 | Vi si on and Goal s f or t he Fut ur e
Strategies in Action
Facilitating Collaborations Between Adult Educators and Health Care
Professionals
The Adult Learning Center, the New York City Office of the Mayor, the Harvard School of
Public Health, the Literacy Assistance Center, and the Harlem Hospital Center piloted a
health literacy study circle an innovative approach that infuses health literacy skills into an
adult education curriculum. Through such activities as tours of health care facilities, literacy
instructors and students gained context for their work on health literacy skills and a stronger
comfort level with the health care system. The health care organizations gained insight into
the needs of low-literate and immigrant populations. The Literacy Assistance Center reports
that through partnerships between the adult educators and health professionals, many adult
literacy students were able to acquire health insurance and become more knowledgeable of
specific health issues and health services in their communities, and health professionals have
become more culturally and linguistically attuned to the needs of patients. Partnering has also
contributed to building community capacity, as each agency shares resources and works to
address the same disadvantaged population.112
For more on this strategy, visit the townhall summary at
http://www.health.gov/communication/literacy/TownHall/ny.htm
Strategies for the Health Care Team and Health Information and Library
Professionals
 % Become familiar with information and literacy resources in your community and refer
consumers to them
 % Invite adult education classes to visit your health center and adult education students to speak
at meetings and symposia
 % Be a guest lecturer in an adult education class, serve as a curriculum advisor, or otherwise
collaborate with adult educators in your community
 % Build ongoing partnerships with community organizations and local libraries to support the
health information needs in the community
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S ect i on 3 | Vi si on and Goal s f or t he Fut ur e
Strategies in Action
Partnerships Between Local Libraries and Hospitals
The Santa Clara (California) Medical Center, Santa Clara County Library, and Plane Tree
Health Library have partnered since 2001 to operate a center for health literacy on the
campus of the medical Center. The community learning center provides information about a
variety of medical topics and conditions in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese in a variety of
formats (print, audio, and video) with a focus on easy-to read materials. The Medical Center
provides readily accessible space to patients; the Plane Tree Library provides supervision
and expertise in resource development; and the Santa Clara Library recruits adult literacy
students to visit the Center and provide literacy support to patrons referred by health care
providers.
For more on this strategy, visit the townhall summary at
http://www.health.gov/communication/literacy/TownHall/ca.htm
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S ect i on 3 | Vi si on and Goal s f or t he Fut ur e
Goal 5 Build Partnerships, Develop Guidance, and Change Policies
Productive partnerships among all types of organizations and professional groups will go a long way
toward identifying and implementing the most effective strategies and actions to improve health
literacy. Organizations and professions can go it alone, but progress toward the goals will be faster and
more sustainable with consensus on common strategies, outcomes, interventions, and products among
many organizations, associations, and agencies:
 % Philanthropic, nonprofit, voluntary, advocacy, academic, and professional organizations
 % Government agencies
The organizational base should expand beyond traditional health care and educational sectors and
include philanthropic, nonprofit, voluntary, advocacy, academic, and professional associations. These
organizations often provide funding for research and interventions, develop and disseminate health
information, advocate for priorities and programs, and even deliver health services in communities.
They can convene stakeholder groups and provide input to public sector plans and projects. Private
institutions can build commitment among national health associations and other stakeholders to
promote health literacy. They are well-positioned to coordinate action on literacy and health by
establishing links between national health associations and the Federal government, literacy
organizations, and State and local health service providers.1
Nonprofit, voluntary, advocacy, and professional associations can inform and educate consumers about [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]