“Crystal-Clear Communication” — A flurry of recent activity puts health literacy in the spotlight

“Health Literacy Software Enhances Employee Engagement”…

“Health Literacy: An Emerging Public Health Issue With A Big Impact on Business”  [ 586 KB PDF file ]

“AHIP Takes Literacy Seriously”

“Software Simplifies Drug Labels”

“A New Level of Understanding: Health insurers are developing health literacy initiatives and taking steps to help consumers get clear information“

Insurance News: “Health Literacy Tool Helps Industry Make Health Information More Accessible”

Bethesda, Md. — (September 1, 2010) — Health Literacy Innovations, creators of the Health Literacy Advisor, the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, today announced the following organizations have signed new agreements to license the Health Literacy Advisor:

• Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
• CalOptima
• The Missouri Area Health Centers
• University of Nebraska Medical Center
• Prime Therapeutics
• Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department
• Low Country Health Care System
• Odyssey HealthCare, Inc.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

“We applaud these organizations that recognize the importance of simplifying information to consumers, and welcome them to the Health Literacy Innovations' family,” said Aracely Rosales, Chief Content Provider and Director, Multi-Cultural, Health Literacy Innovations. “By streamlining the health literacy review process and using technology as one part of the health literacy review process, we are confident the nation's consumers will have an even better chance to understand, read, and act on their health care information.”

About Health Literacy Innovations

Knowing that “literacy” is the single most important indicator of health outcomes, Health Literacy Innovations, (HLI) was founded to create tools to help eliminate medical mistakes and confusion due to low health literacy. In 2007, HLI launched the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, which is revolutionizing the health literacy review process. By replacing inefficiency with technology and knowledge, the HLA gives writers of all skill sets a simple tool to produce health information for consumers. An add-in to Microsoft Word, the HLA applies nine well-known readability indices and an interactive search-and-replace function to replace hard-to-read terms and phrases and medical jargon with plain language alternatives. The combination of these two functions, the ability to “stamp” a document with a readability score/grade level, and the ReadsEasy stamp (which rewards users for good work) sets the HLA software apart from programs or readability indices alone. For more information, please visit www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com or call 301-230-4966.

Bethesda, Md. — (June 10, 2010) — Health Literacy Innovations (HLI), creators of the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, today announced the 1st Annual “National Health Literacy Innovator Award,” a national competition to award innovators in health literacy.

Submissions will be evaluated in three categories:

• Champion Award: Demonstrated commitment to health literacy in an organization.
• ReadsEasy Publication Award: Demonstrated commitment to health literacy in printed information to consumers, such as brochures, pamphlets, or information sheets.
• Clear Focus Multi-Media Award: Demonstrated commitment to excellence in health literacy in a web site or other form of communication, based on usability, design, and reaching a targeted audience.

The list of prestigious 2010 Health Literacy Innovator Award Judges are:

• Carolyn Cocotas, Senior Vice President, Quality and Corporate Compliance, F.E.G.S., Health and Human Services System & IOM Health Literacy Task Force Member, New York
• Cecilia (Ceci) and Leonard (Len) Doak, Principles of Patient Learning Assoc. Inc., and authors of Teaching Patients with Low Literacy Skills, Palm Desert, California
• George Flouty, MD, Medical Director, Pfizer N.Y., Founding member of Pfizer's Health Literacy initiatives (retired)
• Julie Gazmararian, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University Atlanta
• Linda Johnston Lloyd, MEd Health Literacy Consultant and Retired U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration Health, Literacy Coordinator
• Marycelis Keiser, MPH, CHES, Director, Pfizer Inc, Primary Care Business Unit
• Julie McKinney, LINCS Health Literacy List Moderator, World Education, Inc.
• Guadalupe Pacheco, Jr., M.S.W, Special Assistant to the Director, Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC

Details & deadlines:

• Winners/ category will receive a $300 donation to the charity of their choice and three HLA licenses
• The application deadline is August 30, 2010 winners will be announced October 2010 in celebration of National Health Literacy Month.
• For an application, please visit www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com

About Health Literacy Innovations

Knowing that “literacy” is the single most important indicator of health outcomes, Health Literacy Innovations, (HLI) was founded to create tools to help eliminate medical mistakes and confusion due to low health literacy. In 2007, HLI launched the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, which is revolutionizing the health literacy review process. By replacing inefficiency with technology and knowledge, the HLA gives writers of all skill sets a simple tool to produce health information for consumers. An add-in to Microsoft Word, the HLA applies six well-known readability indices and an interactive search-and-replace function to replace hard-to-read terms and phrases and medical jargon with plain language alternatives. The combination of these two functions, the ability to “stamp” a document with a readability score/grade level, and the ReadsEasy stamp (which rewards users for good work) sets the HLA software apart from programs or readability indices alone. For more information, please visit www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com or call 301-230-4966.

Bethesda, Md. — May 20, 2010 — Health Literacy Innovations today announced Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP), a Boston-based not-for-profit health plan, has signed an agreement with Health Literacy Innovations to license the Health Literacy Advisor, the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool.

Ranked as both one of the top five Medicaid health plans in the country and one of the top 50 commercial health plans in America two years running according to a joint ranking by U.S.News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), NHP is the first health plan in Massachusetts to use the Health Literacy Advisor, signaling its growing commitment to health literacy as a crucial component in consumer health compliance.

“NHP is excited to use the HLA to better communicate with our members,” said Carla Bettano, Vice President of Business Development, “Many of our members have chronic health conditions, and the Health Literacy Advisor tool will assist our team in making sure members understand health-related information.”

About Health Literacy Innovations

Knowing that “literacy” is the single most important indicator of health outcomes, Health Literacy Innovations, (HLI) was founded to create tools to help eliminate medical mistakes and confusion due to low health literacy. In 2007, HLI launched the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, which is revolutionizing the health literacy review process. By replacing inefficiency with technology and knowledge, the HLA gives writers of all skill sets a simple tool to produce health information for consumers. An add-in to Microsoft Word, the HLA applies six well-known readability indices and an interactive search-and-replace function to replace hard-to-read terms and phrases and medical jargon with plain language alternatives. The combination of these two functions, the ability to “stamp” a document with a readability score/grade level, and the ReadsEasy stamp (which rewards users for good work) sets the HLA software apart from programs or readability indices alone. For more information, please visit www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com or call 301-230-4966.

About NHP

Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP) is a not-for-profit health insurer serving more than 200,000 members across Massachusetts, offering a wide array of competitive Medicaid and commercial products. Working in partnership with community health centers and other community-responsive providers, NHP focuses on offering members access to care from over 2,800 primary care physicians and over 10,400 specialists in over 300 primary care locations throughout Massachusetts. Central to Neighborhood Health Plan's mission, we place special emphasis on serving culturally diverse, traditionally underserved, and vulnerable populations. For more information, visit www.nhp.org.

“America's Best Health Insurance Plans" is a trademark of U.S. News & World Report.

Series to Focus on Material Development and Design

Bethesda, Md. — April 7, 2010 — Health Literacy Innovations, creators of the Health Literacy Advisor, the nation's first interactive health literacy software, announced today a new webinar series — “Plain Language Materials Development: Write it Clear, Write it in Plain Language,” — that will be offered May 13 and June 14, 2010.

The webinars will outline best practices for development of easy-to-read materials. The series is being offered through URAC, an independent, non-profit organization, well-known as a leader in promoting health care quality through its accreditation, education and measurement programs. The webinars will be lead by Aracely Rosales, Health Literacy Innovations' Chief Content and Multi-Lingual Director. Rosales is a national expert and leader in plain language materials development.

The webinars will take place:

• Thursday, May 13 — 2:00 - 3:30pm EST
• Monday, June 14 — 2:00 - 3:30pm EST

This training will present strategies to help participants understand readability tools and how to assess their materials for readability. Through experiential exercises, participants will also learn effective methods for developing materials with user-friendly design.

Continuing Education credits will be available. To register or to learn more information about the webinar please visit
http://www.urac.org/accreditationEducation/calendar10.aspx

About URAC

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is well known as a leader in promoting health care quality through its accreditation and certification programs. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in establishing meaningful quality measures for the entire health care industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.

About Health Literacy Innovations

Knowing that “literacy” is the single most important indicator of health outcomes, Health Literacy Innovations, (HLI) was founded to create tools to help eliminate medical mistakes and confusion due to low health literacy. In 2007, HLI launched the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, which is revolutionizing the health literacy review process. By replacing inefficiency with technology and knowledge, the HLA gives writers of all skill sets a simple tool to produce health information for consumers. An add-in to Microsoft Word, the HLA applies six well-known readability indices and an interactive search-and-replace function to replace hard-to-read terms and phrases and medical jargon with plain language alternatives. The combination of these two functions, the ability to “stamp” a document with a readability score/grade level, and the ReadsEasy™ stamp (which rewards users for good work) sets the HLA software apart from programs or readability indices alone. For more information, please visit www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com or call 301-230-4966.

Health Literacy Innovations & the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies Release the Nation's First Comprehensive “Health Literacy Plain Language Resource Guide”

Bethesda, Md. — December 17, 2008 — In celebration of the holidays and the health care industry's growing commitment to health literacy, Health Literacy Innovations, creator of the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, today announces a 15% discount on purchases made before Jan. 15th, 2009.

"This holiday season we want to share the gift of health literacy to companies seeking an innovative way to produce and enhance clear communications for consumers," says Aracely Rosales, Chief Content Expert and Multilingual Director, Health Literacy Innovations. "As a continuing hope to improve health literacy outcomes, the HLA gives health care communicators a cutting-edge tool to assess materials' reading level and like a spell checker, offers more than 10,000 interchangeable terms in plain English when jargon and big words compromise clarity."

To learn more about the Health Literacy Advisor's visit features, watch the demo at www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com/demo. To order the HLA and receive the 15% discount, please visit http://HealthLiteracyInnovations.com/products/pricing.

About Health Literacy Innovations

Health Literacy Innovations, a social entrepreneurship company headquartered in Bethesda, Md., creates innovative tools to enhance health literacy. Its flagship tool, the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), is the nation's first interactive health literacy software. As an innovation in health literacy, the HLA streamlines the review process, by combining six different electronic readability indices to assess document reading level and a powerful search-and-replace function to offer users plain language alternatives for word choices that compromise clarity. It is the only software product on the market that scrubs a document — ignores phone numbers, URLs, headings, and bullets — before it calculates readability, giving users an accurate readability score. The HLA also dutifully rewards writers for achieving a 6th grade reading level by inserting a "Reads Easy" stamp within their document for a job well done. Health Literacy Innovations believes if it can empower communicators to create, produce, print, display, share, and advertise clear health information, it can help improve health care outcomes one word at a time. For more information visit www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com or call 301-230-4966.

BETHESDA, MD. Mar. 27, 2008 — Health Literacy Innovations, a company that creates tools for health literacy, today announces Affinity Health Plan, a not-for-profit managed care company based in New York City, has signed an agreement with Health Literacy Innovations to license the Health Literacy Advisor, the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool.

"Affinity is excited to use the Health Literacy Advisor in order to better communicate with our 200,000+ members," said Carolyn Cocotas, Affinity's director of community health innovation and co-chair of AHIP's Health Literacy Taskforce. "Many of our members have chronic health conditions, and the Advisor tool will assist our team in making sure members understand health-related information."

About Health Literacy Innovations

Health Literacy Innovations, a social entrepreneurship company, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., creates innovative tools to enhance health literacy. Knowing that low health literacy hurts patient care, and that literacy is a stronger predictor of health than age, education, race or ethnicity or income, Health Literacy Innovations introduces the Health Literacy Advisor, the nation's first interactive health literacy software. Health Literacy Innovations believes if it can empower communicators to create, produce, print, display, share, advertise - health literate information, it can help to improve health care outcomes and improve health care communication one word at a time. For more information visit www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com or call 301-230-4966.

About Affinity

Affinity Health Plan is an independent, not-for-profit managed care plan designed to serve the needs of low-income residents of the New York metropolitan area. It provides health care coverage through five programs, including Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, Medicaid, Medicare, and UniCare. Founded in 1986, Affinity serves more than 208,000 Members in an area that includes New York City, Long Island, and the surrounding counties of Westchester, Rockland and Orange. For more information about Affinity Health Plan, visit AffinityPlan.org or call 1.866.247.5678.

BETHESDA, MD. Mar. 19, 2008 — Health Literacy Innovations, a company that creates tools for health literacy, today announces that URAC (www.urac.org), an independent, nonprofit organization which promotes quality through accreditation and education programs, has for the first time included health literacy in its core standards, signifying the growing importance of health literacy in quality.

And while this standard, among others, is open for public comment until April 14, 2008, Health Literacy Innovations Chief Content Expert and Multi-Cultural Director Aracely Rosales believes this is outstanding news for the nation's health care consumers.

"In our industry, where there are few health literacy standards and those that exist are not consistent, the notion that URAC is even considering a health literacy standard is tremendous progress and a great recognition of how health literacy affects health care outcomes," says Rosales. "We are excited by this prospect and hope this standard as a first step toward understanding health literacy and its affect on consumers will not only be accepted by the URAC community, but put to use by the health care industry," she concludes.

"Health literacy is a critical issue affecting how consumers understand their health care plans, the costs involved in their choices, and health care outcomes," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC's president and CEO. "URAC is dedicated to creating standards that enhance consumer education and empowerment because we believe this has a direct impact on quality and patient safety. Consumers need information to make good decisions, but that information is only useful when it is presented in an understandable format," Spielman concludes.

About URAC

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization is well-known as a leader in promoting health care quality through its accreditation and education programs. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in establishing meaningful quality measures for the entire health care industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.

About Health Literacy Innovations

Health Literacy Innovations, a social entrepreneurship company, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., creates innovative tools to enhance health literacy. Knowing that low health literacy hurts patient care, and that literacy is a stronger predictor of health than age, education, race or ethnicity or income, Health Literacy Innovations introduces the Health Literacy Advisor, the nation's first interactive health literacy software. Health Literacy Innovations believes if it can empower communicators to create, produce, print, display, share, advertise - health literate information, it can help to improve health care outcomes and improve health care communication one word at a time. For more information visit www.HealthLiteracyInnovations.com or call 301-230-4966.

BETHESDA, MD. Dec. 13, 2007 — In celebration of the holiday spirit, Health Literacy Innovations announces a sale. From now until January 15, 2008, the Health Literacy Advisor will be offered at a 20% discount off the purchase price.

"In the spirit of creating clear communication materials for all health consumers, we are offering a holiday sale to health plans and others interested in our interactive tool," says Aracely Rosales, a nationally recognized health literacy expert and Chief Content Expert and Multi-lingual Director for Health Literacy Innovations.

"With six readability indices, including the use of the electronic Fry, we are for the first time automating the health literacy review process, bringing great efficiency and cost effectiveness to communicators working hard to simplify health information for consumers," says Rosales. "This holiday season we can think of no better investment for the nation's health consumers, but to be able to understand, read, and act on their health information," she notes.

To take advantage of this sale, visit HealthLiteracyInnovations.com/products/order before January 15th and enter the promotion code HOLIDAY20.

Health Literacy Innovations produces the Health Literacy Advisor, the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, to help communicators create health information in clear language. Today, the product is being used by Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, health departments, hospitals, insurance companies, and other health care providers.

About Health Literacy Innovations

Health Literacy Innovations, a privately-held company headquartered in Bethesda, Md., creates innovative tools to enhance health literacy. Knowing that low health literacy hurts patient care, and that literacy is a stronger predictor of health than age, education, race or ethnicity or income, Health Literacy Innovations introduces the Health Literacy Advisor, the nation's first interactive health literacy software. Health Literacy Innovations believes if it can empower communicators to create, produce, print, display, share, advertise - health literate information, it can help to improve health care outcomes and improve health care communication one word at a time.

BETHESDA, MD. Sept. 26, 2007 — Sixty-six percent of all Medicaid agencies call for at least a 6th grade reading level for written health material, making this standard the most popular among states, according to a new survey by Health Literacy Innovations, a company that creates tools to enhance health literacy.

The survey, "A National Survey of Medicaid Guidelines for Health Literacy," represents a snapshot of the state's health literacy standards for Medicaid recipients. Among other trends, the survey reveals:

The majority - 90% - of all states have specific readability guidelines for their Medicaid materials.

• 56% call for a 6th grade reading level.
• 66% call for a 6th grade reading level or a range that includes 6th grade.
• 14% call for a 4th grade reading level.
• 6% call for a reading level between 4th and 6th grade.
• 2% call for a 3rd grade reading level.

"This growing trend toward lower readability levels in the Medicaid program is important news for states nationwide and for the health care community in general," says Aracely Rosales, Chief Content Expert and Multi-lingual Director, a nationally recognized health literacy expert and Health Literacy Innovations partner. "It not only reveals that states are requesting clear language for their Medicaid members, and at a level that takes real work, but shows a positive trend toward closing the gap between what consumers can understand and can read, and the information the health care industry produces, which today is about a 10th grade reading level," says Rosales.

The results of the survey, including state reading level requirements for printed material, is available as a PDF file: HLI_Medicaid_Survey.pdf

Washington, DC Mar. 26, 2007 — America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Health Literacy Innovations, a software company offering a revolutionary new tool for companies and individuals who are interested in promoting clear health communication and improving printed materials for consumers and patients.

In the United States, an individual's ability to understand and act on medical instructions and information ("health literacy") is a stronger predictor of health status than age, income, employment, education, race, or ethnicity.

Studies have documented gaps between the way health information is presented and the ability of most Americans to understand and act on it.

Low health literacy puts consumers at risk: studies have documented, e.g., that people with poor health literacy remain in the hospital more days per admission, and have more difficulty using metered inhalers for their asthma than those with better health literacy skills.

As discussed in the November/December issue of Coverage Magazine, the aggregate financial burden that results from low health literacy and lack of attention to principles of clear health communication is estimated to be $58 billion. For example, medication errors are often the result of a lack of understanding about how to take drugs.

Health Literacy Innovations is the newest AHIP Solutions partner. The company has created what it believes is the nation's first "health literacy checker," an interactive software tool designed to help communicators create clear health information and conform to principles of clear health communication.

AHIP is committed to the issue of health literacy and welcomes the new tool.

"In an era when patients, and especially those with chronic conditions, take a greater role in their health care, this partnership provides a valuable tool to assist health plans with presenting information in ways that make it easy for patients to understand and act on," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP.

A growing number of companies are subjecting their materials to "health literacy review" as they are developed.

"Given our expertise in health literacy, we know that creating clear health care information requires a greater effort than just moving text or using bullets to reduce reading grade levels," said Health Literacy Innovations Founder Aileen Kantor. "We hope that by offering the health care industry a comprehensive tool to help with content, readability levels, clarity, even design, and by giving them a means to replace clunky terms or medical jargon with clear language, we can help improve health care outcomes one word at a time."

The Health Literacy Advisor streamlines the health literacy review process for many materials. It applies electronic readability indices, including the Fry-based formula, and taps into a glossary of more than 9,000 interchangeable terms. The program, which is an add-on to Microsoft Word, operates like a "spell-checker" and scans a document for its readability and literacy level. If it finds words or terms that compromise readability, it highlights those words and offers alternatives.

New Health Literacy Tool Helps Industry Make Health Information Health Literate

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 30, 2006 /PRNewswire/ — A new Annals of Internal Medicine study shows that many Americans do not take their medications for one simple reason: they don't understand what the medication label says or are unable to follow the label's instructions.

In fact, some 90 million Americans – roughly half the adult population – do not understand what the health care industry is trying to tell them. Otherwise known as "low health literacy," this growing public health issue not only increases the cost of care, but adversely impacts patient care; when patients do not understand their health care, they will not receive the care they need.

This problem includes printed information the health care industry creates — medication inserts and prescription labels, patient brochures and instructions sheets, informed consent forms, and web sites, among other information that reaches the nation's health consumers on a daily basis.

To help simplify health information before it gets to the consumer, Health Literacy Innovations introduces the Health Literacy Advisor(TM), the nation's first software tool to help make health information health literate.

As a "health literacy checker," the Health Literacy Advisor streamlines the health literacy review process using electronic readability indices, including the Fry-based formula, and taps into a glossary of more than 8,000 interchangeable terms. The program, which is add-on to Microsoft Word, operates like a "spell-checker" and scans a document for its readability and its health literacy. If it finds words or terms that reduce health literacy, it will highlight those words and offer an alternative.

The Health Literacy Advisor is ideal for any health care provider, insurer, pharmaceutical company, hospital, association, government agency, or other entity who wants to make health information health literate.