Health Literacy Month

Health Literacy Month takes place each October and highlights the importance of making health information easier to understand and health care easier to navigate. Health literacy involves the ability to find, understand, and use health information and services to make informed decisions.

Health literacy is critical because health information, even when it’s accurate, isn’t helpful if people cannot understand it or figure out how to apply it. Clear communication can help people understand medical instructions, medications, test results, insurance information, and preventative care recommendations. Improving health literacy is something we all can contribute to. Health professionals and organizations should use plain language to make information more accessible and encourage questions from patients and community members.