Newsroom | Community Health

By Todd Hoffman, M.D.

Imagine not being able to understand the instructions on your prescription bottle. Not knowing how often to take your medication or not being able to read reminders about important health screenings can lead to health care errors. For more than 40% of Oklahomans who struggle with literacy, these are very real concerns.  

Health literacy goes beyond basic reading skills. It is the ability to obtain, process, use and understand basic health information to make well-informed decisions about one’s health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 9 out of 10 adults struggle to understand and use personal and public health information. Limited health literacy can be barrier to effective diagnosis and treatment for some patients. Those lacking understanding of health terms and meanings are more likely to skip critical preventive exams such as annual physicals and flu shots. They tend to enter the health care system when they are sicker, resulting in higher treatment costs. The CDC estimates that improving health literacy rates could prevent nearly 1 million hospital visits a year.

As a physician, it is important to remember that health care providers need to practice clear communication. We can do this by using familiar concepts, words, numbers and images in ways that make sense to our patients. Patients also need to be an advocate for themselves. Here are some ways you can improve your health literacy and your overall health care experience:

Have a plan for every provider visit. Write out questions and prioritize what you want to talk about.

Ask questions if anything is unclear. Ask your provider to explain something you don’t understand and repeat back what you hear to confirm your understanding.

Request information in plain language. Ask for materials such as brochures, photos, diagrams or videos.

Bring a friend or family member to your visit, if possible. They can take notes so you can concentrate on listening. This works with a virtual visit as well.

Use technology to your advantage. Your provider may offer an electronic version of your health record that can be accessed through a website or app. This makes it easier to manage, review and share your health information.

Improving health literacy gives you and your family the best opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

Let’s make it a good month!

Todd Hoffman, M.D., C.P.E., is chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a division of Health Care Service Corp., a Mutual Legal Reserve Company.