Health literacy and the role of the speech-language pathologist.
OBJECTIVE
This article reviews concepts of health literacy and discusses the role of speech-language pathologists in improving the health literacy of individuals with and without communication disorders.


METHODS
A literature review was completed of health literacy definitions, concepts, and health literacy assessment and intervention studies with various populations. A literature review was also conducted regarding health literacy or related studies in the field of speech-language pathology.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a paucity of information available on health literacy within the field of speech-language pathology. Suggestions are offered regarding increasing health literacy research and intervention by speech-language pathologists.
Hester
Eva Jackson
EJ
Towson University, Communication Sciences & Disorders, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21214, USA. ehester@towson.edu
Stevens-Ratchford
Regena
R