Health Literacy Resources

The Approach identifies the importance of improving health literacy as a crucial component of the determinants of health. Its three fundamental components are intended to guide and encourage collective and cohesive actions at federal, provincial/territorial, and local levels that will result in the enhanced health literacy of all Canadians. Groups are invited to review the Approach and discuss the application of the ideas to their own contexts and health literacy work and provide feedback on how the framework could be improved to better support their health literacy work. The Approach is an important step in the journey of creating a health literate Canada.
Public Health Association of British Columbia, 2012 , 57 pages (PDF: 792k)

CPHA’s Expert Panel on Health Literacy assessed the nature and scope of health literacy in Canada, and reported on barriers and existing interventions. Low health literacy is associated with poor health and the Panel estimates that the situation in Canada is critical. The Panel recommends a coordinated national strategy to improve health literacy levels and assist individuals in coping with the demands of health systems and information.
Irving Rootman and Deborah Gordon-El-Bihbety, 2008

CPHA and the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health consulted with health and literacy practitioners, policy-makers and researchers to develop fundamental principles and priorities for an effective national strategy.
CPHA, 2008, 8 pages (PDF: 1.4m)

This report presents the results of a Web-based health literacy questionnaire that asked practitioners, researchers and policy makers about their understandings of health literacy and strategies to promote it.
CPHA, 2007, 18 pages (PDF: 265k)

This report overviews chronic diseases in Canada and explores how health literacy might affect primary, secondary and tertiary prevention efforts.
CPHA, 2006, 10 pages (PDF: 574k)

This report summarizes the messages from focus groups and research literature about barriers to receiving and understanding health information.
CPHA, 2006, 4 pages (PDF: 42k)

This report overviews various health literacy interventions, targeted towards individuals and toward health providers.
CPHA, 2006, 32 pages (PDF: 280k)

This report summarizes what key informants said about health literacy and chronic disease.
CPHA, 2006, 16 pages (PDF: 174k)

M.O.V.E. is a series of youth-directed workshops that uses art, improvisational theatre, sports, music and group work to deal with themes of violence prevention. Participants develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and peer mediation. M.O.V.E. provides learning materials on violence prevention for youth with low literacy. Five activity modules aim to increase awareness of violence and develop skills to prevent it, while increasing literacy through non-traditional learning activities. The modules teach problem-solving skills and help youth learn a step-by-step approach to interpersonal problems.
2002, 88 pages (PDF: 2.4m)

An adaptable curriculum of 10 lessons to engage teens in developing health awareness and literacy skills. Clear, plain language stories and discussion questions, developed by young people, cover a range of health topics. The stories give young people, regardless of literacy level, an opportunity to learn about and build skills for making decisions about their health. Each lesson offers a brief introduction to a topic (Feelings, Safer Sex, Self-Esteem, Drug Abuse, Drinking, Smoking, Prejudice, Safe Environments, Homelessness and Healthy Eating), provides literacy and health education learning objectives, as well as suggested websites and resources. 216 easily reproducible pages.
2000 (PDF: 1.7m)

Information and advice on the use of plain language in patient information materials for prescription medications, and tips for good design in packaging and labelling.
2002 (PDF: 914k)
A printed version of this item is available from CPHA Publication Sales.

An easy-to-use guide highlights the special needs of low literacy seniors within the health system.
1998 (PDF: 809k)
A printed version of this item is available from CPHA Publication Sales.

A guide to help organizations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors develop forms that seniors will find easier to read and complete.
1998 (PDF: 788k)
A printed version of this item is available from CPHA Publication Sales.

Plain language health resources from 49 North American organizations. Includes tips on how to produce and identify plain language health information.
1999 (PDF: 2.5m)
A printed version of this item is available from CPHA Publication Sales.

Effective communication tools, case studies and practical exercises for health professionals. Practical strategies, tips on office design, and samples of plain language information and consent forms. List of provincial literacy coalitions and literacy-related health programs and activities.
1998 (PDF: 1m)
A printed version of this item is available from CPHA Publication Sales.

The Plain Language Service offers design assessments, revisions and focus testing and workshops for the public, private and voluntary sectors. If your product is intended for the general public, you need the Plain Language Service.

Final Report
2004 (PDF: 1m)

This clear language report highlights the research, what has been learned, gaps and recommendations for the future.
Elsie Petch, Barbara Ronson and Irving Rootman, September, 2004, 23 pages (PDF: 547k)

This article, published in Canadian Journal of Public Health, reviews the literature on literacy and health and identifies priorities for research.
Irving Rootman and Barbara Ronson, October, 2003, 16 pages (PDF: 437k)

A summary of literacy and health research and initiatives in Canada, based on interviews and focus groups with experts
I. Rootman, D. Gordon-El-Bihbety, J. Frankish, H. Hemming, M. Kaszap, L. Langille, D. Quantz, B. Ronson, 2003, 36 pages (PDF: 350k)

This supplement to the Canadian Journal of Public Health (Vol. 97, May/June 2006) contains 24 articles by researchers and practitioners who attended the October 2004 conference. PDF files of all articles can be downloaded.
CJPH links, 2006

The plenary speeches and workshop presentations are described in either English or French (depending on the language they were delivered in) and concludes with recommendations from the participants.
October 17-19, 2004, 160 pages (PDF: 831k)

Final Report of 2005 National Summer Institute
2005(PDF: 497k)

Final Report of the National Workshop on Literacy and Health Research Priorities, October 27-28, 2002.
January, 2003, 26 pages (PDF: 169k)

Conference proceedings of the First Canadian Conference on Literacy and Health explores the connections between literacy and health, with a focus on practical skills and learning opportunities.
2001, 69 pages (PDF)
 

Canadian Council on Learning, 2008

Doris E. Gillis, 2005 (PDF: 86k)

Burt Perrin, 1998

The Healthy Aboriginal Network produces comic books on health and social issues for youth. Topics include diabetes prevention, suicide prevention, and staying in school. The books are available for purchase from The Healthy Aboriginal Network, 328 East Thirty Second Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5V 2Y4, telephone 604-876-0243, email: sean@thehealthyaboriginal.net.

Skilled for Health is a health literacy initiative in England that evolved from a national adult basic skills program and a series of pilot studies. It is jointly managed by a voluntary sector organization (ContinYou), and the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills. It combines essential skills with health improvement and aims to address the low skills and health inequalities prevalent within traditionally disadvantaged communities. This website explains the program goals and provides the learning materials used in its practical implementation.

This report by the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Health Literacy documents the origins, consequences, and solutions for health literacy in the USA. A comprehensive strategy to improve health literacy in America is outlined.
Nielsen-Bohlman, L., Panzer, A., & Kindig, D.A. (eds.), 2004

This report focuses an the analysis of “health-related” tasks included in the U.S. National Adult Literacy Survey, using a newly developed Health Activities Literacy Scale.
Rudd, R., Kirsch, I., & Yamamoto, K., 2004 (PDF)

This site describes health literacy research and links to major U.S. policy and research reports. How to assess and create plain language health materials and innovative approaches from a range of sources, glossaries and learner developed materials are also featured, as well as links to other health literacy resources and organizations.

Ask Me 3 promotes three key questions to ask in every health care interaction: What is my main problem? What do I need to do? Why is it important for me to do this?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s tips for creating easy-to-read print information. (PDF: 2.7m)

This guide by the U.S. National Cancer Institute outlines a process for developing publications for people with limited-literacy skills.