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Using the Patient Voice to Improve
Health Literacy
The spread of COVID-19—and the plethora of information about it—highlights the great importance health literacy plays in ensuring patients get the best healthcare. Of course, that means working with
patients to guarantee they understand the information you provide. Cathryn E. Gunther, and Deborah Collyar
By Catina O’Leary, PhD, LMSW,
to facilitate informed decisions that will help prevent further spread of the virus. This includes the often repeated but inconsistent practice of wearing masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing,
and avoiding crowds. It also includes understanding the available testing options for COVID-19 current and past infection status. These are complex topics, but the opportunity exists to augment comprehension through the use of clear, simple, and accurate information.
The ongoing global pandemic and associated loss of life illustrates the important need to advance health literacy of people around the world. The opportunity speaks loudly in
that health literacy could and should be incorporated in nearly every
aspect of the response to COVID-19; especially across public health and healthcare systems as well as the biopharmaceutical industry. This need spans across populations, from those
experiencing the worst social inequities in health, environment, income, and education to those living with the very best social benefits of those same areas. Simply stated, everyone benefits.
The Importance of Health Literacy During a Pandemic
Clear, evidence-based communication about COVID-19 prevention and care is needed for individuals, families, communities, and government in order
30 pm360 magazine / September 2020