Health Literacy Missouri leads effort to educate on health care

Health Literacy Missouri leads effort to educate on health careColumbia Missourian: June 15, 2010 by Elisa Essner

COLUMBIA — Martin Ratermann has told his story many times — twice before a sizable crowd. But in a crowded conference room Tuesday, he still teared up as he recalled again the medical nightmare from which he's only recently emerged.

Doctors diagnosed Ratermann with stage 4 rectal cancer in July 2008. It was a cancer that was preventable, he said, but seven years of symptom dismissal by both him and his doctors resulted in what several physicians told him was the worst case they'd seen.

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Ratermann's feelings are not unique. Low levels of health literacy — a person's ability to obtain basic health information and use it to make appropriate medical decisions — impede patient care at facilities across the state and nation.

Low levels of health literacy also cost Missouri residents $5.2 billion annually, according to research done at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Patients unable to navigate preventative care options often resort to more expensive emergency services because they don't know what else to do.

Nearly 250 health professionals from across the state met Tuesday in Columbia to discuss various initiatives aimed at improving health literacy. Coordinated by the newlyformed nonprofit, Health Literacy Missouri, the summit focused on collaboration and partnership. READ MORE !