title: Health literacy: a policy challenge for advancing high-quality health care.
abstract: Health literacy, at the intersection of health and education, involves more than reading ability. Studies of health literacy abilities show that many Americans with the greatest health care needs have the least ability to comprehend information required to navigate and function in the U.S. health care system. This paper defines health literacy as an important policy issue and offers strategies for creating a health-literate America.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Scott C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ratzan
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lurie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004522:Educational Status; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States