Think about the last time a doctor gave you instructions. Did you ask all the right questions? When you got home, did you remember everything you were supposed to do? Did you have your instructions written down or know who to call if you were confused? For millions of people, the answer to these questions is likely “no”.

More than 43 million people in the United States have inadequate health literacy. [1] That’s more than the combined population of Florida and New York who can’t understand or use the information they need to make good health decisions. This affects their ability to navigate the healthcare system, talk effectively with doctors, and follow medical instructions. [2] Many of these people may be high-performing employees who also lack the health literacy they need.

Why is health literacy so important?

People can get confused by what their doctor or pharmacist tells them to do. But it can be difficult for them to admit their confusion. Then, if they don’t know where to start or how to get the answers, they may be less inclined to engage with or manage their health concerns.

Health literacy is about a person’s ability to obtain, comprehend, and apply essential health information and services. [3] This knowledge empowers them to understand what their doctor or pharmacist told them and make suitable choices based on those directions. In essence, when a person has a high level of health literacy, they’re more likely to:

• Participate actively in their healthcare

• Take proactive steps toward wellness

• Manage chronic conditions effectively

• Improve their treatment adherence

• Avoid medication dosing errors

• Reduce unnecessary emergency room visits

• Experience improved health outcomes

How health literacy affects healthcare costs

Why should employers be concerned about healthcare literacy? Studies show that people with low healthcare literacy tend to use less preventive care, spend more time in the hospital, and have worse health outcomes. [4] All of these factors can affect an organization’s healthcare costs.

By investing in health literacy initiatives, an employer can promote active health management and informed decision-making. This approach can lead to a healthier, more efficient workforce, ultimately reducing healthcare costs. This is possible because employees who work for organizations that support health literacy:

• Enjoy a culture of workplace wellness

• Know where to find healthcare information

• Have fewer and less severe claims

• Are more likely to use the best available options

• Miss less work and be more productive while there

Healthcare literacy strategies for employers

It’s clear that many U.S. adults lack a full understanding of their healthcare benefits and necessary care, which affects their employers. What steps can be taken to address this issue? Health literacy can be enabled by providing clear, simple information and guidance that empowers people to make informed health decisions. Employers can lead the way in this effort by adopting strategies that enhance health literacy and enable improved healthcare. These strategies can include:

• Delivering uncomplicated communications

• Encouraging program participation

• Providing health education resources

• Expanding access to healthcare services

• Enabling proactive screenings and assessments

• Offering tailored education and personalized support

How healthcare literacy can benefit business

Navigation solutions and personalized healthcare equip people with the insights and confidence they need to make informed health decisions. Employers that take strategic steps to empower their employees and enable them to control their health see valuable returns that include:

• Healthier employees

• Positive work environments

• Improved productivity

• Enhanced health outcomes

• Reduced healthcare costs

To learn more about how healthcare navigation, pharmacy outreach, and virtual care can improve your workforce’s health literacy and reduce your costs, contact Accolade.

[1] https://nces.ed.gov/data%20points/2019179.asp

[2] https://rdcu.be/dVO6r

[3] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2458-12-80

[4] https://www.nnlm.gov/guides/intro-health-literacy