The Medical Library Association Guide to Health Literacy at the Library

CONTENTS
List of Figures, Tables, and Appendices
Preface
Part I. Health Literacy: Understanding the Issues
Chapter 1. Introduction to Health Literacy
Lynda Baker, Marge Kars, and Feleta L. Wilson
Chapter 2. Review of the Literature
Nancy Schaefer
Definitions of Health Literacy
Components of Health Literacy
Special Health Literacy
Characteristics Correlating to Low Health Literacy
Reasons for Concern
Consequences of Low Health Literacy
Proposed Solutions
References
Chapter 3. Social Practices in Talk as Components of Health Literacy
Charlene Pope
Introduction
The Expanding Definition
Theories of Language and Their Contribution to Health Literacy
Social Practice in the New Forms of Health Literacy
Social Biases and Their Role in Social Practice and Health Literacy
Bridges to a More Multidimensional Health Literacy Solution
Solutions
	References
Part II. Health Literacy Issues in Special Populations: The Influence of Culture, Ethnicity, Special Needs, and Age on Health
Chapter 4. Cultural Competence and Health Literacy
Misa Mi
Introduction
Culture and Health
Cultural Competence for Healthcare Providers
Barriers to Cultural Competence
Models for Cultural Competence
Cultural Competence for Librarians
Cultural Competence Training
Importance of Culture in Understanding Health Literacy
Promoting Health Literacy
Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Health Literacy
Summary
References
Chapter 5. Impact of Patient Low Literacy on the Individual and Family
Feleta L. Wilson
The Impact of Low Literacy on the Patient
Individuals with Low Literacy Skills: Who Are They?
Family Health Literacy
Health Disparities Associated with Low-literacy Patients
Partnerships Between Nurses and Librarians
References
Chapter 6. The Association Between Literacy and Health: Providing Health Information to Adults with Low Literacy
Heather J. Martin and C. Nadine Wathen
Introduction
What Is Health Literacy and Why Is It Important?
Low Literacy and Poor Health
Methods of Delivering Health Information to Individuals with Low Literacy
A Role for Librarians
Conclusion
References
Chapter 7. Health Literacy for People with Disabilities
Shelley Hourston
Importance of Health Literacy Skills for People with Disabilities
Major Issues Affecting Health Literacy Skills for People with Disabilities
Reflections from Consumers
The Role of Librarians in Health Literacy for People with Disabilities
Direction for the Future 
	References
Chapter 8. Health Literacy and America?s Senior Citizens
Marcy Brown
Review of Existing Research
A New Model of Health Literacy
Health Literacy Interventions Outside the Library
Librarians and Health Literacy Interventions
Learning Strategies for Older Adults
Future Directions for Libraries and Librarians
References
Chapter 9. A New Digital Divide: Teens and Internet Literacy
Ellen Freda, Jonathan Hayes Goff, and Andrea L. Kenyon
Introduction
Background
Summer Teen Editor Program Goals
Program Methods
Program Materials and Expenses
Overview of Program Sessions
Summary of Program Findings
What Worked
What Did Not Work
Lessons Learned
Our Cautionary Tale: A New ?Digital Divide?
Conclusion
References
Part III. Health Literacy Issues in Public and Hospital Libraries: Providing Programs and Services to Help Consumers Understand Their Healthcare
Chapter 10. The Health Reference Interview: Getting to the Heart of the Question While Assessing Your Customer?s Literacy Skills
Karyn Prechtel
The Health Reference Interview
Be Aware of the Person Asking the Question
Get as Much Information as Possible 
Ask If They Have a Deadline
Is the Question Still Not Clear?
Follow-up
What Not to Do
What You Should Do
Reference Interview and Literacy Levels
Challenges of Telephone and E-mail Queries
Conclusion
References
Chapter 11. Public Libraries and Health Literacy
Barbara Bibel
Community Assessment
Collection Development
Training
Collaboration and Partnership
Outreach
Conclusion
References
Chapter 12. Health Literacy in Canada: Highlighting Library Initiatives
Susan Murray
Canadian Library Scene
British Columbia
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Quebec
Conclusion
	References
Chapter 13. Consumer Health Services in Hospitals: The Front Line for Health Literacy
Julie Esparza
Consumer Health Services in Hospital Libraries Survey (CHSHL)
Internal Partnerships
Availability of Collection
Packets of Information
Outreach Services
Partnerships and Services
Conclusion
References
Chapter 14. Health Literacy in Action?The Bronson Experience
Marge Kars
Literature Review
The Bronson Initiatives
Other Bronson Health Literacy Initiatives
The Health Sciences Library Initiative
The Nursing Initiative
Lessons Learned
References
Part IV. The Future: Ways to Initiate and Become Involved with Health Literacy Programs
Chapter 15. Intervention Programs for Health Literacy
Cleo Pappas
What Is an Intervention?
Poor Health Literacy
Do Reading Levels Correspond to Consumer Needs?
Consequences of Poor Health Literacy
The Role of JCAHO
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and Informed Consent
Role of Librarians
Role of Pharmacists
Readability
Conclusion
References
Chapter 16. Forming and Funding Collaborations to Address Health Literacy
Kristine Alpi and Dina Sherman
Identifying Existing Health Literacy Collaborations
Local Example: New York Health Literacy Collaborations
Identifying Funding for Collaborative Efforts
Working Successfully with Funding Agencies 
Sustaining Collaborations in Health Literacy
Conclusion
References
About the Editors and Contributors
Index