Abstract

Healthy People 2020 objectives seek to improve health outcomes through promotion of clear communication techniques. It is imperative for healthcare providers to understand the challenges patients face when self-managing their care, since nearly one-third of adults have difficulty understanding and utilizing healthcare information. This study examined outcomes following implementation of a health literacy initiative using an evidence-based approach for best practices. Results suggest that increased awareness of low health literacy by patients and staff may lead to better health outcomes through improved health maintenance as evidenced by a decrease in HgA1C levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.