2006 Health Literacy Month Events
(sorted by country)

Event Description:Our Health Region's Health and Literacy Committee meets regularly to explore ways to promote awareness and support for clear communication.  We are arranging a meeting with our new Chief Executive Officer, getting involved with orientation of new employees, planning a Plain Language Workshop for 2007 and establishing resources and references for Health Region staff.  We also plan to use the back of October employee pay slips to promote health literacy.

At our City Hall, we joined our local Literacy Network on International Literacy Day, Sept. 8th, to help celebrate literacy for all.  We contributed a display on the connection between literacy and health.
Event Type: For professionals 
Organization: Prince Albert Literacy Network
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Canada
Coordinator: Liz Thompson , Public Health Nurse
Email: thompson_l@shaw.ca
Phone: 306.764.4167
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

This health literacy program is designed to give attendees an overview of the growing literacy problem within California and around the country. The program will:

• Provide an overview of health literacy
• Discuss the importance of health literacy 
          o Personal impact
          o Organizational impact
          o Public health impact
          o Cost impact
• Furnish attendees with resources and tools to effectively address the issue with both patients and professionals and provide ideas for involving constituencies in learning programs
• Supply attendees with sample letters and ideas on how they can make a valuable impact on literacy in the State

Featured Speakers: 
Kristine Yahn, RN, MBA, Executive Director, Californians for Patient Care
Bud Pues, Training Coordinator, California Literacy

Event Type: For professionals 
Organization: CA Partnership for Access to Treatment
Sacramento, California
United States
http://www.caaccess.org
Coordinator: Janet Soule , Account Manager
Email: janet@perrycom.com
Phone: 916-658-0144
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:Riverside County California is conducting a Health Literacy Forum on October 31, 2006.  It will bring together targeted health professionals to increase understanding of functional health literacy, become familiar with health literacy research and findings, partner with local community resources for change and explore action options and resources available to improve the problem in Riverside County.
Event Type: For professionals 
Organization: Riverside County Department of Public Health
Riverside, California
United States
Coordinator: Mary I. Daniels, BSN, MPH , Assistant Nurse Manager
Email: mdaniels@co.riverside.ca.us
Phone: 951-354-1438
Event Start Date: 10/31/2006

Event Description:In support of Health Literacy Month, the Florida Department of Health's, "Read for Health Initiative" will host its first, "Health Literacy in the Classroom" voluteer reading project.  Volunteers will be asked to visit elementary school classrooms around the state and read aloud, "Curious George Goes to the  Hospital." 

The Initiative will mail a book to the volunteers along with book marks ("Milk Keeps Me on My Toes"), stickers ("Curious Readers" with the Curious George logo) and pencils ("Smart Eaters = Good Readers") for the children.  The book will be donated to the classroom and the teacher will be asked to complete an evaluation. 
Event Type: For patients, students, community 
Organization: Florida Department of Health
Tallahassee, Florida
United States
http://readforhealth.com
Coordinator: Carol Scoggins , State Read for Health Coordinator
Email: Carol_Scoggins@doh.state.fl.us
Phone: (850)245-4475 ext. 2982
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

We provide free bulletin board resources with graphics to download on our website at:  http://www.gha.org/pha/resources/bulletinboards/HealthLit2005/index.asp 
and
http://www.gha.org/pha/resources/bulletinboards/health_literacy/index.asp 

We will also have a full campaign (with graphics) available for 2006.  The full list of health topic bulletin boards is available at:  http://www.gha.org/pha/resources/bulletinboards/index.asp 

Event Type: For all For all
Organization: Georgia Hospital Association
Marietta, Georgia
United States
http://www.gha.org/pha
Coordinator: Jan Potter , Communications Specialist
Email: jpotter@gha.org
Phone: (770) 249-4549
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

While we have many great Health Literacy events going on throughout the year, we are hosting an essay contest called "Write for your Life." Students K - 12 and adult learners will be invited to answer the question, "What does health mean to you?" The essay winners will be awarded at a special ceremony on October 26,2006.

Event Type: For patients, students, community 
Organization: Middle Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, Georgia
United States
http://www.middlegatech.edu
Coordinator: Emily C. Taylor , Health Literacy Coordinator
Email: etaylor@middlegatech.edu
Phone: (478)929-6796
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa is celebrating Health Literacy Month with employees and visitors by hosting a booth at the hospital's Fall Festival held on October 5. The interactive booth will promote awareness of various efforts including health literate consent forms, Ask Me 3 and patient eduation tips. Giveaways, door prizes and refreshments will be provided.

In October, the Sioux City Journal Newspaper will run a healthy living article to highlight health literacy month and focus on the health literacy initiatives that the hospital has implemented to improve patient care.     

Event Type: For patients, students, community 
Organization: St. Luke's Regional Medical Center
Sioux City, Iowa
United States
http://www.stlukes.org
Coordinator: Naomi Holtz , Health Education Specialist
Email: holtznr@stlukes.org
Phone: 1-712-279-8941
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Literacy Workgroup, in collaboration with the HRSA Cancer Awareness Prevention Program, the Food and Drug Administration, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants, is sponsoring a Roundtable Discussion on the Role of Physician Assistants in Promoting Health Literacy and Breast Cancer Awareness.   Title of Event: "A Well Informed Professional is a Prepared Professional"

Time: October 17, 2006 Noon to 1:30 Parklawn Building Room 11A-41

October 24 will be a Display Table in the Parklawn Lobby with health literacy materials and breast cancer awareness materials.

 

Event Type: For professionals 
Organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
Rockville, Maryland
United States
http://www.hrsa.gov/healthliteracy/
Coordinator: Linda Johnston Lloyd , HRSA Health Literacy Coordinator
Email: ljohnston-lloyd@hrsa.gov
Phone: 301-443-0831
Event Start Date: 10/17/2006

Event Description:

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, you are not alone.  Millions of patients encounter difficulties when they try to understand health information.  To learn more, stop by our information table for free handouts and materials.  You, too, can be an educated consumer when it comes to your health, and the health of your loved ones.

Date:  Monday, October 23, 2006

Time:  9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Location: The Fallon Clinic Foundation Lifetime Center, Suite 170, in the   Atrium of the Worcester Medical Center

Event Type: For patients, students, community 
Organization: Fallon Clinic Foundation Lifetime Center
Worcester, Massachusetts
United States
www.fallonclinicfoundation.org/lifetime
Coordinator: Robin McCoy-Ramirez , Manager of Health Education and Operations
Email: robin.mccoyramirez@fallon-clinic.com
Phone: 508-368-3192, #4
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

Health Literacy Consulting is the sole sponsor of Health Literacy Month and has been since 1999. Services include: hosting the Health Literacy Month website; offering free and low-cost Health Literacy Month resources; and responding to all questions and media queries.

In addition, Helen Osborne speaks at numerous Health Literacy Month events. In October 2006, this includes: a day-long health literacy workshop for the S2AY Rural Health Network in Allegany County, New York; 2 days of health literacy presentations for health professionals and consumers sponsored by the El Paso Community College in El Paso, Texas; and a day-long educational event hosted by the County Department of Public Health in Riverside, California.

Event Type: For all For all
Organization: Health Literacy Consulting
Natick, Massachusetts
United States
http://www.healthliteracy.com
Coordinator: Helen Osborne , President of Health Literacy Consulting
Email: helen@healthliteracy.com
Phone: 508-653-1199
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

Literacies for Living Well: A one-day conference on health literacy co-sponsored by Cambridge College and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation.  Featuring keynote speaker Rima Rudd and guest speakers Maureen Ferris and Shani Dowd, this conference looks at improving health literacy especially in our public schools.  The conference will be helpful for school nurses, health care providers, or anyone looking to wade through today's complicated world of healthcare.

The conference will be on Saturday, October 14th from 9 AM to 3PM.  It will be at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care HQ, at 95 Worcester Street in Wellesley, MA.  Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

Event Type: For professionals 
Organization: Cambridge College
Cambridge, Massachusetts
United States
http://www.cambridgecollege.edu
Coordinator: Karin Turer , Development / Special Events
Email: karin.turer@cambridgecollege.edu
Phone: 617-873-0179
Event Start Date: 10/14/2006

Event Description:

Responding to Viral Hepatitis / HIV / STD Concerns In Our Communities

Educational conference discussing health disparities in underserved communities; discussion on strategies to better inform and empower patient/client when exploring options on healthcare, in particular those affected by Hepatitis C, HIV and STDs in the African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American communities.

Event Type: For professionals 
Organization: Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach
Kansas City, Missouri
United States
http://www.hepcmo.org
Coordinator: Johanna Blanding-Koskinen , Executive Director/HCV Advocate
Email: execdir@hepcmo.org
Phone: 816.767.8472
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics is pleased to announce their 10^thAnnual Research Symposium. The topic for this year is "Health Literacy:The Communication Connection: Research, Quality and PatientOutcomes."  The symposium will take place on Friday, September 15at Children’s MercyHospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

Please click on this link for more information and to register, www.childrensmercy.org/healthcarepros

Contact Kathy Mick, education coordinator at kmick@cmh.edu for more information or questions.

Event Type: For professionals 
Organization: Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
Kansas City, Missouri
United States
childrensmercy.org
Coordinator: Kathy Mick , Education Coordinator
Email: kmick@cmh.edu
Phone: 816-234-3743
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

Advanced psychology students at Montana State University, Bozeman will create and display research posters with in-depth knowledge of various health issues, with an emphasis on appreciating diversity. The posters will remain on display throughout the month and will serve to educate students, faculty, and staff.

Event Type: For patients, students, community 
Organization: Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana
United States
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpy
Coordinator: Jessi L. Smith, Ph. D. , Professor
Phone: 406-994-5228
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:I contribute a column on Health Literacy Resources in the MCMLA (Mid-continent Chapter of the Medical Library Association).   It is published electronically each quarter.
Event Type: For the media 
Organization: Nebraska Methodist College
Omaha, Nebraska
United States
http://methodistcollege.edu
Coordinator: Angela Arner , Health Literacy Awareness
Email: Angela.Arner@methodistcollege.edu
Phone: 402/354-7147
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:I publish an e-newsletter entitled Health Literacy Awareness.   It is distributed as an e-mail to a list of subscribers.   Issues are also available online at the Library's web site http://nmc.theplacewhereyoubelong.com/Library_Detail.asp?PID=8&PCID=37
Event Type: For the media 
Organization: John Moritz Library
Omaha, Nebraska
United States
www://methodistcollege.edu
Coordinator: Angela Arner , Coordinator -- Consumer Health Services
Email: Angela.Arner@methodistcollege.edu
Phone: 402/354-7247
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

The Ohio State University AHEC Health Literacy Progam has a new home on the OSU AHEC website. I have posted several modules with supplemental materials on the site for health professionals CE and for use by faculty for health sciences students. The first 3 modules are: Health Literacy: It's Time To Take It Seriously! (an overview of the topic); You Can't Tell By Looking: Assessing the Ability to Read and Understand Health Information Getting Your Message Across: Clear and Effective Health Communication There will be an additional 5 modules: Readibility Formulas, Writing for Easy Reading, Field Testing Health Materials, Health Communication with Peoples from Other Cultures; and Meeting the Challenges of Low Health Literacy in Your Organization

Event Type: For websites For website
Organization: The Ohio State University - Office of Health Sciences
Columbus, Ohio
United States
http://www.medicalcenter.osu.edu
Coordinator: Sandra Cornett , Health provider / health educator , and director of the OSU Health Literacy Program
Email: sandy.cornett@osumc.edu
Phone: 614-293-7396
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

Asthma Workshop - October 24th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Making The Best Of Your Childs Doctor Visit Workshop - October 19th

Event Type: For patients, students, community 
Organization: Tuomey Healthcare System-Lee County Child Health Initiative
Bishopville, South Carolina
United States
http://www.tuomey.com
Coordinator: Lisa Canty, BS, MS , Health Literacy Coordinator
Email: lisa.canty@tuomey.com
Phone: 803-484-6536
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:

                     "The Impact of Health Literacy"

San Antonio (Texas) Health Literacy Conference, Friday, October 13, 2006, from 8 am - 4 pm, Sheraton Gunter Hotel. Cost is $69, including food. After 21 Aug, fee will be $89.  We hope you can make it!

For more details, go to http://www.sahealthlit.org/

Event Type: For professionals 
Organization: San Antonio Health Literacy Initiative
San Antonio, Texas
United States
http://www.sahealthlit.org/
Coordinator: Virginia Mika , Associate Director for Research
Email: SEQUIN@UTHSCSA.EDU
Phone: 210-567-7826
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006

Event Description:The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) has just launched a three-year campaign on health literacy. Each year PAs will work with different audiences to promote health literacy awareness. During the first year of the campaign, PAs around the country are reading to elementary school children and providing books to their classrooms. The AAPA board of directors just adopted a school in Northeast DC. The board members read to the children in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade, and donated books to children in 6 classrooms. The board will revisit the class in February.
Event Type: For patients, students, community 
Organization: American Academy of Physician Assistants
Alexandria, Virginia
United States
www.aapa.org
Coordinator: Stephanie Matlock Maynor , Public Relations Manager
Email: smaynor@aapa.org
Phone: 703/836-2272
Event Start Date: 10/1/2006