Health literacy resources

Health literacy is the skills and knowledge of a person to access, understand and use information to make decisions and take actions about their health and healthcare.

Health literacy resources for clinicians

We all have a role to play in making it easier for people to access, understand and use health information and services. We encourage you to ensure that their clients have a good level of health literacy to improve their overall level of understanding of their health care needs. Download the following resources:

• Hello! My name is...
• Health Literacy Workplace Toolkit
• TAZREACH Health Literacy Resources for Clinicians

Research resources

Please see below a list of health literacy research resources for clinicians. Research articles below are accessible via PubMed. Some or all the below publications may only be available by subscription.

• DeWalt DA, Berkman ND, Sheridan S, Lohr KN, Pignone MP. 'Literacy and health outcomes: a systematic review of the literature', Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2004; 19:1129-39
• Kendig S. 'Word power: The effect of literacy on health outcomes', 2006 Aug-Sep; 10(4): 327-31
• Kountz DS. 'Strategies for improving low health literacy'. Postgraduate Medicine, 2009 Sep; 121(5): 171-7
• Kripalani, Sunil and Weiss, Barry D. 'Teaching About Health Literacy and Clear Communication'. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2006 Aug: 21(8): 888-890
• Makaryus AN, Friedman EA. 'Patients' understanding of their treatment plans and diagnosis at discharge'. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2005; 80:99 1-4
• Nath C. 'Literacy and diabetes self-management'. American Journal of Nursing, 2007 June; 107 (6 Suppl): 43-9
• Schillinger DI, Bindman A, Wang F, Stewart A, Piette J. 'Functional health literacy and the quality of physician-patient communication among diabetes patients'. Patient Education and Counselling, 2004; 52(3):315-23
• Safeer RSI, Keenan J. 'Health literacy: the gap between physicians and patients'. American Family Physician, 2005 Aug 1;72(3):463-8
• Weiss BD, Coyne C. 'Communicating with patients who cannot read'. New England Journal of Medicine, 1997;337:272-4
• Williams MV, Davis T, Parker RM, Weiss BD. 'The role of health literacy in patient-physician communication'. Family Medicine, 2002 May; 34(5):383-9

Health literacy resources for consumers

• The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes what consumers, or someone they care for, can expect when receiving health care.
• These rights apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia.
• For more information about the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, and additional supportive resources, please visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare website.

Download the following resources:

• My healthcare rights - A4 accessible
• My healthcare rights: How can I use the Charter? - A4 accessible
• ASK SHARE KNOW - Tips for talking with your health professional