Page 30 - Health Literacy, eHealth, and Communication: Putting the Consumer First: Workshop Summary

Health Literacy, eHealth, and Communication: Putting the Consumer First: Workshop Summary

oveRvieW oF iSSUeS

information, which makes it particularly important to provide the public
with eHealth literacy skills.
eHealth literacy is not just a static, objective assessment of whether or
not an individual is literate. It is something that will change as technology
changes. It is a process of learning, not just an outcome, so eHealth lit-
eracy levels will constantly be in flux as technology changes. As Marshall
McLuhan once said, the medium really is the message, and it is true here.
Literacy skills are related to the medium in which they are applied. These
skills are teachable, but they require constant remediation and updating.

STRATEgIES FOR RAISINg HEALTH LITERACy IN ARIZONA
MEDICAID MEMbERS: NEW APPROACHES FOR STATE
MEDICAID “HEALTH kNOWLEDgE buILDERS”

Anthony Rodgers
Director, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

“Health literacy is one of the most widespread obstacles to achieving
better health outcomes in the United States” (AgrAbility Project, 2005)
but eHealth technology can help address this issue. Medicaid enrolls
what are probably the most vulnerable, least educated individuals in the
country, and many of these individuals have mental health diseases and
other chronic illnesses that hinder them from effectively participating in
the health care delivery system. Additionally, Medicaid usually sees these
individuals at a point of medical crisis. Arizona’s Medicaid program, the
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), has a fourfold
vision

• to encourage informed, active patients interacting with informed
clinical teams;
• to have a medical home for each individual that is capable of
12
understanding each patient;
• to have a single view of each patient through electronic health
records; and
• to have clinical decision support tools.

12 A medical home “is not just a building, house or hospital, but a team approach to
providing health care. A Medical Home originates in a primary health care setting that is
family-centered and compassionate. A partnership develops between the family and the
primary health care practitioner. Together they access all medical and non-medical services
needed by the child and family to achieve maximum potential. The Medical Home maintains
a centralized, comprehensive record of all health related services to promote continuity of
care” (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2008).

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