Promoting Health Literacy for Children and Adolescents

Only 12% of American adults have proficient health literacy, defined as a set of skills needed to effectively function in the health care system.¹ This is troubling given that health literacy is a stronger predictor of health than age, income, employment status, educational level, or race.² A growing body of research also shows that low health literacy is associated with worse child health outcomes,³ higher health care costs, and elevated mortality rates.¹ 

Although Americans are increasingly expected to be knowledgeable consumers of health care, it is clear that many individuals lack the core health literacy skills needed to understand their health insurance.⁴ This inadequate understanding of health care information creates challenges beyond the selection of a health insurance plan or payment calculations. Poor health literacy, including health numeracy, extends into one’s ability to seek care at an appropriate time, navigate through the health system, and...