Understanding the Cost of Low Health Literacy and Strategies for Improvement

Health literacy is the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information, and it is directly tied to patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Although health literacy can be easy to disregard, it is crucial to understanding a group's healthcare effectiveness, efficiency, and cost containment.

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According to the National Library of Medicine, "People with inadequate health literacy may utilize more resources and have higher care costs with poorer health outcomes." Misunderstandings around chronic conditions, medication schedules, and preventative care can lead to patient complications and increased healthcare utilization, sometimes unnecessary or avoidable care. 

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Choosing the Wrong Site of Care

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Poor health literacy often leads to individuals seeking care in an inappropriate care setting. Individuals with low health literacy may need help understanding the distinctions between Telehealth, Clinics, Urgent Care Centers, and Emergency Rooms. They may use emergency services for non-emergency issues because they do not understand alternative care options, which may lead to a significant increase in cost.

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Educating patients about when and where to seek care can mitigate unnecessary emergency visits, reducing costs while improving patient outcomes.

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Lower Adherence Rates

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Patients with low health literacy often struggle with understanding medical instructions, which can lead to poor adherence to prescribed treatments.

According to the National Library of Medicine, "Improving patients' health literacy can be used as an effective education and prevention tool … including treatment adherence." By increasing patients' health literacy, we can significantly enhance their ability to make informed health decisions, adhere to prescribed treatment plans, and effectively manage their conditions.

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The Role of Healthcare Providers in Enhancing Health Literacy

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Healthcare providers can help improve patient health literacy by:

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• Using clear language, avoiding medical jargon, and breaking down complex concepts.  

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• Employing teach-back methods, where patients repeat information in their own words, helps ensure comprehension and allows providers to address misunderstandings immediately.

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• Providing written materials, such as brochures and handouts can further support patient understanding.

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These steps can increase patient education and help patients better understand and engage in their healthcare. 

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Enhancing Health Literacy in the Workplace

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Employers play an important part in promoting health literacy among their employees. Increasing health literacy in the workplace benefits both employees and the organization. Providing access to health education resources, wellness programs, and digital health tools can help employees make informed health decisions.

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