Background Document Contents

Background Document on Literacy and Health

CONTENTS
	Executive Summary Section 1. Overview of health literacy
		1.1 Low literacy in Canada and the US 1.2 The links between health and literacy 1.3 A high-risk group: Low-literacy senior patients 1.4 Measuring patient literacy 1.5 The focus on plain language 1.6 Oral Communication and more effective patient education 1.7 Communication and health organization accreditation
	Section 2. Key issues to consider
		2.1 The limits of assessing patient literacy 2.2 Over-reliance on plain language 2.3 Beyond written material 2.4 Discrimination and learner/patient empowerment 2.5 Beyond functional health literacy 2.6 Partnerships between health and literacy organizations 2.7 The potential role of support staff
	Section 3. Profiles of health literacy initiatives in Canada
		3.1 National Initiatives 3.2 Provincial Initiatives 3.3 Local/Institutional Initiatives 3.4 Literacy Programs in Health Settings 3.5 Upcoming Research 3.6 The Current Project 3.7 Background Initiatives
	Conclusion Appendix 1. Research by Sharon Brez Appendix 2. Research by Rob Sarginson Appendix 3. Definition of Terms Bibliography