Health Literacy Improves Health Care Quality

A lack of knowledge about health literacy is a cause for quality healthcare concern as the world advances in health information technology. Many patients struggle to understand and navigate their health and well-being as a result of lack of understanding of the treatment plan due to low literacy skills. Several federal policy initiatives promote health literacy as the responsibility of the healthcare organization. Improving health outcomes through health literacy should be a commitment of healthcare organization through providing clear communication, simplified forms, assistance, and even follow-up calls. Three major initiatives will combat health literacy to include the Affordable Care Act; the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy of the Department of Health and Human Services; and the Plain Writing Act of 2010. These initiatives place strategic efforts on health literacy, health technology, and health disparities through patient-centered care in an effort to improve the quality of healthcare.