Health Literacy Program Needs Assessment Program

According to The Institution of Medicine, there is little research and studies on health literacy and challenges posed to the healthcare systems (Logan, Wong, Villaire, Daus,Parnell & Willis, 2015). This paper will look at health literacy needs for people age 45 -55 in a primary care setting. Population aged between the ages of 45 to 55 years are often referred to as middle age persons; this is a critical time regarding health care and health literacy for this population segment. According to a study by Yaffe and Stewart “The problems and Concerns of Middle Age”, the study found out that middle age is a period in the life cycle that can be characterized with many health obstacles developmental or growth related. Governments world over have published several articles on this geriatric population segment and the associated strain on the healthcare system (n.

The report further mentions the associated increased morbidity and lost quality of life years to this working-class population (Gambert & Pinkstaff, 2006). If health literacy is taken more seriously, then this are resources that could be used to develop the treatment for other chronic, life-threatening conditions. Research shows that people are more likely to indicate susceptibility to heart diseases, diabetes and blood pressure ailments between 40 -65. This is age group typically fall in the age population under study in this report, According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people age 45 and older with more than two chronic health problem has significantly increased by about 17% in the last 10 years. The research further notes most of these people are college educated yet on health literacy the majority will depend on doctors prognosis and opinion without significantly contributing towards effective treatment decisions (Silverstein, 2012).

• Cultural impediments Some cultures act as significant challenges towards the attainment of health literacy among it populates. The increasing need to provide care for a diverse patient population becomes a challenge when culture and medical practices cross paths. The triad of cultural, health literacy and language becomes a systemic problem towards successful implementation of health literacy program. The definition provided for health literacy lacks in some aspects which are now being addressed by a new generation of health literacy advocates, such as the literal meaning of literacy does not provide the capacity to understand the complexity of health literacy thoroughly. Health literacy demands numeracy skills among a wide range of capabilities for comprehension of health literacy (Sudore & Schillinger, 2009). Conclusion Studies indicate that limited or low health literacy is a widespread problem globally, developed, developing and under-developed countries face this problem.

Low health literacy is a critical problem in any country and has significant health implication to a country, individual or society and as such it is important to consider the development of effective health literacy programs even as the development of medicine grows in bounds. References Gambert, S. , & Pinkstaff, S. Emerging Epidemic: Diabetes in Older Adults: Demography, Economic Impact, and Pathophysiology. Health Literacy: A Necessary Element for Achieving Health Equity.  NAM Perspectives, 5(7). doi: 10. 31478/201507a Papen, U. Literacy, Learning and Health – A social practices view of health literacy. html Quick Guide to Health Literacy and Older Adults - Health Literacy and Older Adults. Retrieved from https://health. gov/communication/literacy/olderadults/literacy. htm#p3 Sheridan, S. , Halpern, D. pri. org/stories/2012-07-31/one-five-middle-aged-us-adults-have-least-two-chronic-health-problems Sudore, R.