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HLC How-To

HLOL Podcasts

HL Month

HL Resources

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Helen Osborne's award-winning book is considered by many as the most important health literacy text today.

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November, 2013

Welcome! It's fall in Massachusetts. While that means colorful foliage, it is also means that our summertime flowers have died back for the season. I challenge myself to look for what's worthy and interesting in the remains. Like this photo of what was a beautiful garden flower.

Isn't that somewhat like simplifying health information? We must look closely to find key messages worth focusing on. And then figure out how to communicate that information in interesting and compelling ways.

It takes know-how and creativity to do this well. Thanks for wanting to know what's new in Health Literacy Consulting.

HLC How-To

"Health Literacy & Older Adults." While many people struggle to understand

health information, some tend to have even more difficulty than others. November's How-to Tip looks at ways that illness, medication, and disability can affect an older adult's understanding of health. This month's tip includes examples of how you can help along with links to learn more.

HLOL Podcasts

Health Literacy Out Loud (HLOL). Listen to my audio interviews with those "in the know" about health literacy. New episodes include:

Listen to more than 100 HLOL podcasts. Free!
Subscribe to learn about new HLOL episodes. Free!
Access written transcripts for many HLOL podcasts. Free!

HL Month 2013

Health Literacy Month 2013 was a great success!
I participated in, hear about, and saw notices of a remarkable range of health literacy events and actions. These include magazine and newspaper articles; blog postings; community education programs; launch of new projects, publications, and partnerships; television and radio interviews; resource sharing; online webinars; in-person conferences; and of course, Health Literacy Heroes.

When Health Literacy Month began in 1999, I truly had no idea it would be such a success. As I often say, "Together, we can and do make a big difference." Thanks everyone! ~Helen

HL News & Resources

There's lots new happening when it comes to health literacy. Here's some news and resources:

Health Literacy Discussion List (HLDL). I'm delighted to share news that the old, much-loved LINCS health literacy listserv (online discussion group) is back in a new form. HLDL is moderated by Julie McKinney and hosted by the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA). Join the conversation, http://listserv.ihahealthliteracy.org

CDC Clear Communication Index. The U.S. Center for Disease Control has created a new tool for developing and assessing their public communication products. To me, this is a terrific resource we can all learn from and build upon, http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/ClearCommunicationIndex/

Thanks for subscribing to What's New in Health Literacy Consulting. Please forward this newsletter to colleagues, friends, and all who care about health literacy. Encourage them to subscribe to this newsletter, too. Until December, ~Helen