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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 23, 2014 10:19 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Marcia M. Hahn |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Health Literacy Month |
| I will introduce a resolution recognizing October as “Health Literacy Month” in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Health literacy is important for everyone because we all need to be able to find, understand, and use health information and services. Our health literacy dictates our capacity to find, understand and use health information and available services in order to reach appropriate health decisions on a daily basis, not just when we need medical attention. Nationally, only 12 percent of adults have proficient health literacy, according to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy. Thus, a vast majority of adults may lack necessary skills to manage their health condition effectively. Low health literacy has been linked to lower use of preventive care services and lower medication adherence, resulting in higher rates of hospitalization and higher overall healthcare costs. Demographic groups most likely to be challenged by low health literacy include the elderly, minorities, immigrants, and those of limited means. However, even those who are informed and comfortable with numbers can face health literacy issues. Collaborative effort is a critical element in improving health literacy within our communities. Responsibility for improving our health literacy should be led by relevant healthcare stakeholders within our communities. Working together, we can ensure that health information and available services can be accurately understood and appropriately utilized by all Pennsylvanians. Gateway Health ℠ is one such healthcare stakeholder. They are deeply committed to corporate social responsibility, providing programs developed to improve the health literacy of our most vulnerable, at-risk citizens. Their Health Literacy Program Series is a great example of targeted corporate investment to improve health literacy by collaborating with various community leaders and organizations to craft lasting solutions and improve health outcomes. October is ‘National Health Literacy Month’ and I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this resolution, recognizing October as; ‘Health Literacy Month in Pennsylvania’ to bring greater attention to the importance of raising health literacy throughout the Commonwealth. If you have any questions, please contact Gail Pakosky at 717-783-8573 or via email gpakosky@pahousegop.com. Thank you in advance for your support! |
Introduced as HR1075