Improving Health Literacy to Improve Health Outcomes

During National Health Literacy Month, Humana recognizes the importance of making health information easy to understand and the healthcare system easier to navigate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health literacy as “the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.”

In an environment where individual health needs and the health care system are complex, limited health literacy may impair one’s ability to seek and receive proper health care. A 2017 study demonstrated that limited health literacy creates a barrier to care by increasing the risk that someone delays important care and may have more difficulty navigating health insurance options or finding a healthcare provider in the first place.

More recent data estimates that 36% of U.S. adults have some difficulty understanding and reading health information. Improving health literacy for patients is essential in managing chronic illnesses, reducing unnecessary emergency department visits and reducing avoidable hospitalizations.

Because Humana understands how limited health literacy can affect our members, we are investing in educating our employee population about health literacy, teaching them how to recognize warning signs for when a member has limited health literacy. Humana’s Health Equity and Social Impact Team (HESI) is providing employees with training and resources to expand their knowledge around health literacy and training and tools to be empowered to help our members focus on whole-person health.

Given the impact of health literacy on health and health outcomes, October has been recognized for more than 20 years as National Health Literacy Month. It is also a central focus of Healthy People 2030 initiative, a program established in 2020 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

To advocate for increased health literacy knowledge for yourself and others, explore resources provided by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) — like the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy and Health Literacy Online.

At Humana, the Health Equity and Social Impact Team (HESI) is providing employees with training and resources to expand their knowledge around health literacy and tools to be empowered to help our members focus on whole-person health.

Together, we can make health literacy a priority — and improve health outcomes by doing so.