26Ten is part of the Health Literacy Network
Reading, writing and everyday maths skills are vital for people to understand and use health information correctly. Health literacy is important for improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities. 26Ten is the banner under which we can all pull together to make a difference.
Why is health literacy important?
Health literacy is important for improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.
A person with low levels of health literacy struggles to read and interpret medical information and advice. This can have a major impact on health outcomes at both a personal and societal level.
People with low literacy:
- have more difficulty managing their own health and illnesses
- have less knowledge of health conditions and treatment
- have greater dependence on health care providers
- use emergency services more
- are admitted to hospital more
- experience more medication and treatment errors.
Making a difference – campaigns and projects
HeLLOTas
HeLLOTas is a toolkit for developing health literacy in community service organisations. The kit was developed collaboratively with members of the Health Literacy Network and led by TasCOSS (The Tasmanian Council of Social Service).
To check your organisation’s health literacy and ways to develop it, visit the HeLLOTas website.
Hello my name is…
It’s so much easier to ask questions when you know who someone is and what they do. The Health Literacy Network supports people and services to take up the #hellomynameis campaign. The campaign was started by Dr Kate Granger following her own experiences as a patient. We encourage health and community workers to introduce themselves.
Spot on
‘Spot On’ is about finding, acknowledging and sharing what people and services are doing (big or small) to make it easier for people to find, understand and use information and services.
We invite you to let us know about anyone you think has hit the Spot by emailing health.literacy@dhhs.tas.gov.au.
It’s OK to ask
Having the confidence to ask questions, find the information needed, and seek support are all important tools for people to have. Creating environments that are supportive and that welcome questions is also key.
The ‘It’s ok to ask’ resources have been co-developed with consumers.
Why do we have a Health Literacy Network?
Because:
- we share the goal that everyone communicates clearly
- we know that we can only resolve the complicated issues affecting our health with a long-term coordinated approach that involves the whole community
- we work in the same communities and sectors including education, health and business
- we can work together to raise awareness of literacy and health literacy issues
- we can provide concrete tools to people and service providers in response to their needs
- we know there is a positive ripple effect when one person or service provider improves their literacy and health literacy, and this spreads across families, communities and workplaces.
Together we have a great opportunity to make a real difference for all Tasmanians.
For more information about health literacy visit the Tasmanian Government Health Literacy website.
