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(Wednesday, November 12, 2008)  Representing the Southwest and South Central regions of the state, Angela Smith, Director of enlace, LLC, a Berlin, Wisconsin based community affairs firm attended Improving Health Literacy - A Strategic Plan for Wisconsin earlier this month. The event, co-sponsored by Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. and The Johnson Foundation was held at the Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, Wisconsin November 12 and 13. Representatives from regional health literacy committees from throughout the state participated in an effort to "develop the framework for a comprehensive and systematic statewide plan to reduce barriers to health literacy throughout healthcare and literacy organizations". Smith is a member of the SW/SC Wisconsin Literacy, Inc Health Literacy Committee. enlace provides support services to healthcare providers and organizations, helping them address the health literacy needs of Spanish speaking patients.

 

According to Smith, "Most people do not realize that the average adult reads at about a 5^th grade level and that half of the adults in our country have difficulty understanding basic information about their health. When you add a language barrier to that equation, the negative results are significant. Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. reports that the negative impacts of low literacy in the healthcare setting include among others, longer hospital stays, rising healthcare costs, and negative health outcomes for patients who have difficulty understanding their providers. When we talk about those consequences in the context of parenting, they affect not only adults, but the children of adults with low literacy skills. "

 

The conference attendees spent the two days beginning to map out a strategic plan for   continued efforts to increase awareness and improve the status of health literacy in the state. Each region will return to its respective table in the coming month to determine regional plans to engage communities regarding health literacy. More information about health literacy and its impacts on communities can be found at the Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. website at http://www.wisconsinliteracy.org/ .

 

"As national, state and community demographics continue to change it is necessary that health care consumers are able to access health information in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways and we, as a state, have a lot of work to do on this issue. The efforts of Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. in the field of health literacy are making strides in addressing this national problem. They should be applauded for and supported in this important work and that is why enlace felt compelled to join in the health literacy campaign."  

 

enlace serves Wisconsin businesses and communities as a proponent of progressive solutions in the face of challenges posed by changing U.S. demographics, particularly with regard to the rapidly growing Hispanic population.  enlace services include intercultural education, language training, leadership development programs, community engagement projects and marketing and communication support.  More information about enlace and its services can be found at http://www.theenlacegroup.com/.