Why a literacy program in a health care facility?
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The Family Literacy Program's emphasis is READING for adults and children..It may seem an odd match for Family
Health Care to have an emphasis on fighting illiteracy in our community, but....
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During the early years of the clinic’s work, Family Health Care offered special
health information for people with low literacy. Pill charts with clock pictures and pictures of food were provided to help
patients understand how to take the medicines. .We also began to provide used books for children, many gathered from local garage sales.
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Although Dr. Diane Lucas and Dr. Lee gave out books and modeled reading with the children, many of the adults
did not follow-through. It became clear that the children were unlikely to learn to read from parents who were not able to
read themselves. Over time, Family Health Care began to focus on helping the parents with reading as well. Half of the adult
residents in two of the three zip codes primarily served by Family Health Care do not have high school diplomas, and the third
has a lower proportion without a diploma only because that zip code (66103) includes a high proportion of medical and nursing
students at KU. .There are multiple studies* that have shown inadequate literacy has a significant association with
health disparities, poor health outcomes, and higher health care costs. .
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We provide books for children through community donations in conjunction with gifts of
new books through the Kansas City Reach Out and Read. Punky Thomas, a certified teacher, is the core of our program. Thanks
to Punky and the supporters the program, Family Health Care helps people develop their potential. Through the Family Health
Care Literacy Program, we provide assessments, tutoring and other supports to help adults develop skills in order to earn
a high school level General Educational Development (GED) certification which leads to better jobs as well as improved health
outcomes.
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Regarding
new starts, Alexander Graham Bell said, "When one door closes, another opens..." Books, volunteers and donations
are welcome. Consider helping us open a new door for people who have found many shut tight..
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*Researchers
at Northwestern University found a strong correlation with low health literacy and higher death rates when they followed
more than 3,000 medicare enrollees in four cities for six years. Their study showed that illiteracy is an independent risk
factor associated with higher mortality from all diseases. Among those who died due to cardiovascular disease, more than twice
as many deaths were from the inadequate literacy group (19.3%) as the adequate literacy group (7.9%.) The marginal literacy
group fared part-way between (16.7%.) Archives of Internal Medicine, July 2007
