MISSION

To support the development of research-based products

and practices to improve adult health literacy

GOALS

          1.)  Conduct and identify research on adult health literacy needs

          2.)  Develop products and resources from identified or conducted research

          3.)  Disseminate information and developed resources

          4.)  Promote collaborative, interdisciplinary research and practice

OVERVIEW

The National Center for Health Literacy is an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to improving the health literacy of adults and families.  The Center supports the research and development of comprehensive resources and innovative practices designed to increase knowledge, access, and comprehension of health-related information and practice to promote the wellness of adults and families.

RATIONALE

·   Healthcare choices are becoming more complex.  Products, services, and programs need to be developed to help adults with those choices;

·   Healthcare providers want to improve their products, services, and programs to meet the needs of adults and families, including those who are disadvantaged, of low literacy, or culturally disenfranchised;

·   An interdisciplinary research and practice perspective models the collaboration that is needed to solve complex health literacy problems;

·   Adult literacy, one aspect of the health literacy problem, is a critical economic and social factor.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Collegeof Communicationand Information

 Rosemary DuMont, Ph.D., Director, Research and Instructional Initiatives

 Mary Stansbury, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Library and Information Science

 Nichole Egbert Scheibelhoffer,  Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Collegeof Nursing

 Kathleen Hutlinger,  Ph.D., RN, Professor and Associate Dean

 Ruth Ludwick,  Ph.D., CNS, RN,   Professor

College and GraduateSchoolof Education, Health, and Human Services

 Dianna Baycich, M.S., Literacy Projects Coordinator, OhioLiteracyResourceCenter

 Nancy Padak, Ed.D., Distinguished Professor; Principal Investigator, OhioLiteracyResourceCenter

 Marty Ropog, M.A., Director, OhioLiteracyResourceCenter

Northeastern OhioUniversitiesCollegeof Medicine

 Chandra Rudolph, B.A., Director, Summit-PortageAreaHealthEducationCenter