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HLC How-To

Health Literacy Month

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HL News & Resources

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Early October, 2012

Welcome!

October is Health Literacy Month. This annual awareness-raising event has been going strong since 1999. But of course, a lot has changed along the way. Here's a a postcard from early on. And a button with our current logo.

Likewise, our focus needs to keep up with changing times. For Health Literacy Month 2012, I propose the theme of action -- how each of us will help others better understand health information.

Thanks for all you do. Here's what's new in Health Literacy Consulting

HLC How-To

HLHero 2

Health Literacy Month 2012: Be a Health Literacy Hero. It seems that others are starting to "get" the message that health literacy matters. Now what?

To me, a logical next step is action. This year, I propose the theme, "Be a Health Literacy Hero." Learn more in this month's Health Literacy Consulting (HLC) How-To Tip.

Health Literacy Month 2012

Health Literacy Month logo

October is Health Literacy Month. This is a time for organizations and individuals everywhere to promote the importance of understandable health information.

There is no right or wrong way to participate. It is up to you -- as a health literacy advocate -- to determine best ways to raise awareness with your intended audience.

What are YOU doing for Health Literacy Month? Please send me a 1-2 sentence write-up. And perhaps also a photo. I assume that by doing so you give permission for me to include this in an upcoming e-newsletter.

Here's one that happened on October 1 2012: The Wake Health Literacy Coalition in Raleigh NC hosted a "Health Literacy Awareness Month" event at Wake County Human Services. The Mayor of Raleigh, Mayor Nancy McFarlane, presented the Raleigh City "Health Literary Awareness Month Proclamation."

HLOL Podcasts

Health Literacy Out Loud (HLOL) podcasts. Listen to Helen's interviews with those "in the know" about health literacy. New podcasts include:

And free transcripts of many HLOL podcasts.

HL News & Resources

Here's what else you might find interesting:

Health Literacy Around the World: Part 1. Health Literacy Efforts Outside of the United States. This paper was commissioned by the Institute of Medicine's Health Literacy Roundtable. Written by Andrew Pleasant PhD of Canyon Ranch Institute, it is a terrific overview about health literacy efforts worldwide.
Health Literacy Hackathon. An intriguing, participatory challenge to create a technology-driven tool to improve how people understand and use health information.
LINCS Health Literacy Group. There's a new community of practice for the online discussion group that many of us have valued for years.

Sponsor

Boston University's Master of Science in Health Communication (MSHC) online program is proud to support Health Literacy Month.

The MSHC program addresses the growing need for health care professionals to become leaders in communicating important and often complex health information to patients and the general public.

By utilizing effective communication strategies, marketing/PR concepts, and social media solutions, students and graduates are helping to improve the public's comprehension of health issues in their communities and across the globe. Click here to learn more.

Thanks for subscribing to What's New in Health Literacy Consulting. In honor of Health Literacy Month, there will be two October issues of this e-newsletter. I will send a second one towards the end of the month. My plan is to include snippets about events happening for Health Literacy Month 2012.

As always, feel free to forward this e-newsletter to all who care about health literacy. Even better, please encourage them to subscribe for themselves.

Until late October,
~ Helen Osborne