Bridging The Health Literacy Gap: How New Jersey Communities Are Empowering Patients

Nearly nine in ten adults nationwide struggle to understand medical information well enough to make informed decisions—a gap that can raise hospitalization risks by 50% and cost billions of dollars annually.

This October, Health Literacy Month spotlights the ongoing need for better communication between patients and providers, empowering individuals to navigate their own healthcare journeys.

Health literacy is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions,” according to the New Jersey State Library. 

Studies show that health literacy is shaped by daily experience and generational learning, but is closely tied to socioeconomic status. In fact, people with lower socioeconomic status are much more likely to have low health literacy and to experience worse health outcomes as a result.

“This is a real health issue. People do not often connect health literacy with health outcomes, but the evidence is clear that those exist,” said Dr. Patrick Fox, president of WellPoint New Jersey, a health insurance provider. “The relationship between a practitioner and the patient is much more dynamic.”

Fox noted that the “literacy gap” in New Jersey mirrors the national trend. About one in five adults struggles with basic literacy, and in cities like Newark, fewer than 20% of third graders read at grade level, according to a proficiency exam 2022-2023 report. 

These challenges have tangible consequences. A recent national study found that patients with low health literacy face 50% higher hospitalization risks, difficulty finding the right provider, and obstacles to participating in self-care and chronic disease management. 

Limited health literacy is strongly correlated with a lack of locating the proper provider and effectively participating in self-care and chronic disease health conditions.

Health literacy is a “key determinant of patient outcomes influencing an individual’s capacity to navigate the health care system,” Fox said. 

Health literacy is built through everyday experiences, social interactions, and lessons passed down through generational learning. According to figures by the World Health Organization, health literacy is associated with “a stronger predictor of an individual’s health status than income, employment status, education level and racial or ethnic group.”

“Health literacy can also come down to the most basic level of reading your medication and understanding your discharge planning instructions,” said Anya Nawrocky, director of member experience and growth at WellPoint New Jersey. “Many of them [patients] do not even realize they have lost access to NJ Family Care, until there is that crisis moment.”

Wellpoint is distributing over 15,000 books and resources to students across the state, Nawrocky said, to improve literacy at a “foundational” level. 

She noted that a new initiative starting this month to address communities that speak other languages, is underway, offering English and a Second Language courses for patients. The efforts are meant to encourage students to pick up reading habits rather than lose them, she added.

Community Health Centers remain crucial as outreach hubs, offering food pantries, hygiene programs, and health screenings. The “Take A Load Off” initiative  connects residents in Camden with health resources tailored to local needs, helping meet “communities where they are at.”

“Healthcare can be so complex and we try to explain and present everything to our members in a way that is approachable rather than some of the medical jargon that is included,” said Nawrocky. “They are a cornerstone of public health here in New Jersey.”