Care Compass Collaborative (CCC) is pleased to announce that they were awarded grant funding from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) in partnership with Health Research, Inc. to administer Health Literacy trainings to a targeted group of non-profits throughout New York State (excluding the 5 boroughs of New York City).
Why is Health Literacy important? According to the CDC, nearly 9 out of 10 people struggle to understand health-related information. Having limited understanding can adversely affect a person’s health which often leads to an increase in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and even mortality rates. While low heath literacy spans different demographics, there are populations that are at a much higher risk such as older adults, low-income households, and racial and ethnic minorities.
“Through this Small Wellness Mini Grant, the NYSDOH is investing in the training and development of both traditional and nontraditional community-based partners that are trusted by underserved, marginalized, under resourced, and rural communities,” shares Georgia Entwistle, Project Director, Care Compass Collaborative. “The Health Literacy training is designed to increase the effective dissemination of health information, lessen health disparities, and address underlying health conditions. Some of the key concepts that will be incorporated into the training include understanding the repercussions of low health literacy on patient understanding, health outcomes, and medical costs; learning how to integrate plain language in both written and verbal communications; and utilizing teach-back methods to confirm the patient understands their medication and care instructions. We are very excited to have the opportunity to impact these organizations and those they serve!”
Over the course of 2023, Care Compass Collaborative will administer trainings to representatives from 150 different community non-profit organizations across New York State who have received NYSDOH funding to address COVID-19 health disparities among those they serve. Attendees will walk away with a strengthened understanding and knowledge of the Health Literacy needs of their respective demographics to better address health disparities and improve health outcomes for their communities.