Applying Health Literacy Principles: Strategies and Tools to Develop Easy-to-Read Patient Education Resources

Abstract

Health literacy, or “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions,” is a relatively new construct in the healthcare field; however, its impact on health is undeniable (Nielsen-Bohlman, Panzer, & Kindig, 2004, p. 4). Although this definition focuses on the ability of the patient, health literacy also depends on the skills, preferences, and expectations of those providing health education and services (Nielsen-Bohlman et al., 2004).