Rhode Island Health Literacy Project (RIHLP)

Lori A. Quaranta, MPH National Institute for Literacy

Health Literacy Summit

March 26, 2008

Why Focus on Health Literacy?

A widespread problem: half of American adults – 90 million people – have difficulty understanding and acting upon health information

Poor health literacy estimated to cost the national healthcare system $58 billion.

($73 billion - $238 billion)

Patients who fail to read at the 3rd grade level cost Medicaid close to $11,000; patients who read above 3rd grade level cost just under $3,000

Source: 2004 Institute of Medicine report, Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion

The Problem in Rhode Island

Half of Rhode Island adults fail to read at a 3rd grade level*

This is a problem because: Patients are asked to perform more

complex self care Patients are seen as active

consumers rather than passive recipients of healthcare

*Source: 2002 Nellie Mae Education Foundation report

The Rhode Island Health Literacy Project (RIHLP)

Acknowledged the need to do something about health literacy in RI

Met with several medical, public health and educational agencies in RI

Established the RIHLP Steering Committee

The Rhode Island Health Literacy Project (RIHLP)

A statewide coalition of public health, adult education, and medical organizationsBlue Cross & Blue Shield of RI Center for Hispanic Policy &

AdvocacyCentral RI Area Health Education

CenterDept of Elderly Affairs, The POINTDorcas Place, Adult & Family

Learning CenterHospital Assoc. RIRI State Nurses AssociationLiteracy Volunteers of RI

Memorial Hospital of RI Quality Partners of RI RDW Advertising Group RI Medical Society RI Department of Health RI Depart of Human Services RI Health Center Assoc. South Providence

Neighborhood Ministries

The Rhode Island Health Literacy Project (RIHLP)

MissionGoalsObjectivesProject Selection CriteriaProject/Initiatives ListMinimum Monthly Meetings

RIHLP Projects/Initiatives

1. Advance Directives Awareness and Education2. Physician/Provider Cultural Competency Training3. Physician Toolkit and Patient Education Materials4. Basic Healthcare Curriculum5. Health Literacy on the Road Educational Series6. Medication Safety Brochure7. Medication Tracking Pocket Card8. Checkup Checklist9. Outreach/RIHLP Web Site10. Health Literacy Month in October11. Guidelines for Written Materials12. Grants and Funding

Outreach/RIHLP Web Site (www.RIHLP.org)

Web Site - A place for people to go to obtain information on the purpose, history, goals, projects, and tools associated with the RIHLP and health literacy in general

Local TV and articles in local publication

Presentations and meetings

Grants and Funding

Created sub-committee to find funding opportunities

Tapped into Steering Committee resources

Pharmaceutical FundingGrantsLocal Business Support

Contact Information

Lori QuarantaRhode Island Health Literacy ProjectTelephone: (401) 459-5520E-mail: Lori.Quaranta@BCBSRI.org