Macoupin County Public Health Department issued the following announcement on Oct. 18.
Only 12 percent of adults have Proficient health literacy, according to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy. In other words, nearly nine out of ten adults may lack the skills needed to manage their health and prevent disease. Fourteen percent of adults (30 million people) have Below Basic health literacy. These adults were more likely to report their health as poor (42 percent) and are more likely to lack health insurance (28 percent) than adults with Proficient health literacy.6
Low literacy has been linked to poor health outcomes such as higher rates of hospitalization and less frequent use of preventive services (see Fact Sheet: Health Literacy and Health Outcomes). Both of these outcomes are associated with higher healthcare costs.
Our certified insurance counselor, Amanda, can help you to improve your health literacy and gain skills to select insurance plans right for you. Call her at 217-839-4142.
Or learn how the Take Charge of Your Health workshop can help you gain skills to improve your health literacy. Call 217-854-3223, ext. 225 to learn more.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Macoupin County Public Health Department
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