The Cost of Low Health Literacy :: Pharmacy Times

The Cost of Low Health Literacy

Pharmacy Times: 4.09.2017 by Steve Leuck, PharmD

We all know that lack of literacy skills can pose a challenge for anyone navigating their way through every day obstacles. Place this person in a health care environment, and the problem increases significantly. Furthermore, discharge this patient from the hospital with current standards and they are sent home with stacks of paper that promptly get set aside with many questions left unanswered.

On average, individuals with low health literacy can read at a fifth-grade level, while consumer medication information is written at a tenth-grade level. Health professionals regularly overestimate patients’ level of understanding and commonly do not allow ample time for questions and answers. As well, it is not uncommon for hospitals to focus on meeting the regulatory requirements of the facility by sending patients home with all the required documents, rather than assuring a complete understanding of their discharge protocol.

As defined by the Institute of Medicine, health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

In 2003, the US Department of Education National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) measured, among other items, health literacy. Based on the results of this study, it was found that over 36% of the adult US population was either basic or below basic health literacy. In 2007, an analysis of this report, Low Health Literacy: Implications for National Health Policy, attempted to define the impact of this astounding statistic. The US population in 2003 was approximately 242 million adults. This corresponded to an astounding 87 million US adults with at or below basic health literacy.

Empirical research on a conceptual model placed the cost of low health literacy between 7-17% of all healthcare expenditures. In 2003 this dollar amount was estimated to be between $106- $238 billion annually. In the year 2015, the annual health care expenditures are estimated to be $3.6 trillion, which would provide a cost of low health literacy at approximately $612 billion dollars.  READ MORE @

Literacy – Spanning North America :: Victoria BC :: Bangor ME :: Misson Hills CA

Leaner literacy groups survive, with help from TC Book Drive

Times Colonist: 4.01.2017 by Jack Knox

It would have been dead easy to give up on Literacy Victoria. Ditto for the READ Society.

Both were volunteer-driven outfits, and volunteers want fulfilment, not the headache of keeping a drowning charity afloat.

In fact, Literacy Victoria did go under for a while, shutting its doors in 2014.

“It would have been so easy to stay closed,” says Susan Reece, a volunteer tutor who ended up chairing the group’s board.

But then the impact of the loss began to be felt. How were all those adults who struggle with reading, writing and numeracy supposed to overcome their hurdles? “We had so many people who were upset that it had closed after all those years.”

So Reece and a few others spent a few months huddled around a kitchen table figuring out how to reopen the doors, which they were able to do in 2015. Then, last year, Reece got to talking with Charlie Etchell of the READ Society, a youth-focused literacy group that had emerged from its own near-death experience.

The result was September’s merger of the two non-profits, now known as the Victoria Literacy Connection. It’s a leaned-down organization that helps both children and adults, teaching them skills without which they would be left behind in life.  READ MORE @

Annual 'Literacy Tea' promotes the joys of reading

WLBZ-TV:  4.02.2017 by Samantha York

@LitVolBangor 

The Literacy Volunteers of Bangor have put on their annual 'Literacy Tea' for the past five years -- it is a fundraiser that raises money for the groups adult literacy programs and encourages those of all ages to pick up a book and read.  WATCH VIDEO  📺

@NorthValleyOC 

The desire to help her community led to a decision to run for the State Assembly in 2014. In a surprising upset, she won the election and took office as a political novice. She has since introduced legislation in key areas of concern to her and her constituents. Four of her bills have been signed by the Governor.  READ MORE @

Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2016 :: ALA

Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2016

ALA News: April 2017

The list of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2016 is here. This year’s list explores a range of genres (young adult, fiction, memoir) and formats (novels, graphic novels, picture books), but they have one thing in common: each book was threatened with removal from spaces where diverse ideas and perspectives should be welcomed.

The annual list is compiled by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF); OIF calculates the Top Ten by documenting public media articles of challenges, and censorship reports submitted through the office’s reporting form. For an in-depth look at censorship trends, check out the State of America’s Libraries Report.

Top Ten Challenged Books of 2016

Out of 323 challenges reported to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2016 are

1.This One Summer written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

2.Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

3.George written by Alex Gino

4.I Am Jazz written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

5.Two Boys Kissing written by David Levithan

6.Looking for Alaska written by John Green

7.Big Hard Sex Criminals written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky

8.Make Something Up: Stories You Can’t Unread written by Chuck Palahniuk

9.Little Bill (series) written by Bill Cosby and illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood

10.Eleanor & Park written by Rainbow Rowell

READ MORE @

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Stanislaus Co CA :: Tulare Co CA :: Santa Clara CA

READ MORE @

#LibrariesTransform

Partners In Reading

SJPL

Colvin shared her secrets for how she stays in shape and maintains her sharp wit.  READ MORE @

State of America's Libraries 2017 :: ALA

State of America's Libraries 2017

ALA News: April 2017

2017 State of
America’s Libraries Report

In the 21st century, libraries of all types are responding to the changing social, economic, and political impacts of living in a digital society. Academic, school, and public libraries provide services that empower people for change. Library workers’ expertise, combined with dynamic collections and digital resources, help individuals develop new skills, communicate with others through new technologies, and help make their communities better places to live. These and other library trends of the past year, including the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2016, are detailed in the American Library Association’s 2017 State of America’s Libraries report, released during National Library Week, April 9– 15, 2017.

Executive Summary

In the 21st century, libraries of all types are responding to the changing social, economic, and political impacts of living in a digital society. Academic, school, and public libraries provide services that empower people for change. Library workers’ expertise, combined with dynamic collections and digital resources, help individuals develop new skills, communicate with others through new technologies, and help make their communities better places (PDF) to live.

Since 2015, the American Library Association (ALA) Libraries Transform campaign has promoted public awareness of the importance of libraries and library workers. More than 6,100 libraries and library advocates have joined the campaign to date, and ALA continues to promote awareness of the value, impact, and services provided by libraries and the expertise provided by library workers.

A recent study (PDF) shows that the 3,793 academic libraries in the United States contribute to student learning and success in four ways:

> Students benefit from library instruction in their initial coursework.

> Library use increases student success.

> Collaborative academic programs and services involving the library enhance student learning.

> Information literacy instruction strengthens general education outcomes.

Academic librarians are embracing new responsibilities in such areas as scholarly communication, digital archives, data curation, digital humanities, visualization, and born-digital objects. Other emerging areas include bibliometrics and altmetrics, e-learning, custom information solutions, and research data management.

School libraries serve 98,460 of our nation’s public and private schools. More than 90% of traditional public schools report having a library, while 49% of private charter schools report having one. These libraries have always supported the curriculum, encouraged student creativity, and promoted lifelong learning. Today’s challenges—such as information literacy, intolerance, and funding cuts—highlight the need for well-funded school libraries and credentialed school librarians.

School librarians use standards-based learning experiences that promote critical evaluation of print and digital resources and the creation of valid student work. There is some evidence that school library budgets may be increasing, after five years of reductions, and there is hope that the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) will be used in support of school libraries. The law includes language that allows schools to budget funds for school libraries and acknowledges school librarians as specialized instructional support personnel.

Our 9,082 public libraries play a vital role in such community services as early childhood literacy, computer training, and workforce development. In addition, they provide a safe place for everyone, reflecting and serving the diversity of their communities in their collections, programs, and services. The thousands of public libraries in towns and neighborhoods across the United States invite community conversations and actions that further understanding and address local needs.  READ MORE @

Literacy – Spanning the US ::Marin Co CA :: Worthington MN :: Cape Verde AZ

ESL classes quadruple thanks to school and library collaboration

Point Reyes Light: 3.23.2017 by Silas Valentino

English as a Second Language classes are set to quadruple in West Marin thanks to a joint effort between Shoreline Unified School District and the Marin County Free Library, which together roped in $26,000 from state adult education funds to hire five new teachers and increase the number of classes.

Beginning this week in Point Reyes Station, six free morning and night classes are now offered at the Dance Palace Community Center from Monday through Thursday, with concurrent free child care. The same services will be offered in Tomales in April. Bonny White, West Marin branch manager for the library system, said E.S.L. classes used to only be offered once a week in Tomales and Point Reyes Station. It was a conversation Ms. White had with Bob Raines, Shoreline’s superintendent, in which the two agreed that a language couldn’t be properly learned with just one class a week, that prompted the effort.  READ MORE @

If you’ve ever considered volunteering in a school but have hesitated because you lack a background in education, it’s time to rethink your position.

“Teaching is not a pre-requisite for volunteering,” assured Betty McAllister, a regular volunteer with the Southwest Adult Basic Education (ABE) program in Worthington.

“You just need to like people, know how to read yourself and be willing to help people learn English.

“Any necessary materials are provided for you, and the staff recommends what to do if you’re at all unsure.”

Although McAllister is a retired teacher and school administrator, she emphasizes that an open mind and patience are the two most valuable resources a volunteer can bring to the local ABE program. She’s spent about 90 minutes weekly for the past nine years assisting adult English language learners at the West Learning Center.

“The people working on building their English language skills are so appreciative that someone is willing to help them — and it’s a lot of fun, too,” attested McAllister.  READ MORE @

Adult education expands literacy to Verde Valley

Cape Verde Bugle: 3.25.2017 by Bill Helm

There’s not a single soul at the Camp Verde Adult Reading Program and LEARN Center who works as much as 26 hours in a given week.

From the director to the office manager to the instructors, each is available 25 hours each week to meet the needs of the area’s adult learners.

Even if the Verde Valley’s sole in-house adult education program wasn’t losing state funding as of July 1, the program has always been on the proverbial shoestring budget.

When CVARP first opened for business in 1988, the program started with a 16-member board of business members and teachers.

The teachers were actually volunteers. Maybe they had teaching experience. But CVARP wasn’t paying them.

Even today, CVARP relies on volunteers. One of its teachers, Elida Proper began as a volunteer.

“I first became involved with CVARP when I was working on my master’s degree at NAU studying English as a Second Language,” Proper says. “After graduating, I became one of the ESL instructors. In 2010, I began helping adults get their GEDs.  READ MORE @

2016 America’s Most Literate Cities Ranked

Central Connecticut State University: 3.31.2017

After a four-year hiatus, Washington, DC returns to the top spot in the 13th annual survey of America’s Most Literate Cities by Central Connecticut State University.

The study is conducted by Dr. Jack Miller, president emeritus of Central. It reports on a key measure of America’s social health by ranking the reading habits and resources of the nation’s 82 largest cities.

The top 10 cities this year are:

1.     Washington, D.C.

2.     Seattle

3.     Minneapolis

4.     Atlanta

5.     San Francisco

6.     Pittsburgh

7.     Portland, Ore.

8.     Cincinnati

9.     St. Paul

10.   Boston

The Bottom 10:

Chula Vista, CA

Fresno, CA

San Antonio, TX

Corpus Christi, TX

Anaheim, CA

Stockton, CA

El Paso, TX

Bakersfield, CA

Laredo, TX

The complete 2016 rankings are available online.

Dr. John W. Miller, president of Central Connecticut State University, is the author of this study. Research for this edition of AMLC was conducted in collaboration with the Center for Public Policy and Social Research at CCSU.

The original study was published online in 2003 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater