Skip Navigation U.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.hhs.gov/
Agency for Healthcare Research Quality www.ahrq.gov
www.ahrq.gov/

Health Literacy and Cultural Competency

Resource LinksOnline resources relating to health literacy and cultural and linguistic competency
Health LiteracyPathfinder page to consumer decision aids and clinical information
Cultural & Linguistic CompetencyPathfinder page to guides and resources for improving health care delivery

Overview

AHRQ Funding Opportunities

AHRQ Health Services Research (R01)

Articles of Interest Alert

A weekly compilation of AHRQ-supported articles appearing in recently released journals and newsletters. Topics include health literacy and cultural and linguistic competency.

Grants Online Database

Abstracts of research and data projects funded by AHRQ, including health literacy and cultural and linguistic competency topics.

Research Activities: Online Newsletter

Summarizes AHRQ-supported study findings, specific or relevant to health literacy and cultural and linguistic competency.

Consumer/Patient Resources

Advice Column from Dr. Carolyn Clancy
Date   Title
9/7/10   Improving Your Health Literacy

Conozca las preguntas
Consumer Research Summary Guides
(Compares treatments for a variety of conditions including prostate cancer, diabetes, and depression).
Questions are the Answer
Quick Tips—When Planning for Surgery
Spanish Language Resources
Your Medicine: Be Smart. Be Safe.

Top of Page Top of Page

Health Literacy

Healthcare 411 Audio/Video Products

podcast 4/13/11: Understanding Your Health Information  (Transcript)  Podcast Help
podcast 6/18/08: Health Literacy Limited For Many Americans  (Transcript)  Podcast Help
podcast 4/23/08: Getting the Most Out of Your Next Checkup   (Transcript)  Podcast Help
podcast 12/26/07: Health Literacy  (Transcript)  Podcast Help
podcast 12/19/07: Health Literacy and Understanding Health Information  (Transcript)  Podcast Help

Advances in Patient Safety: From Research to Implementation

Language, Literacy, and Communication Regarding Medication in an Anticoagulation Clinic: Are Pictures Better Than Words? (PDF File, 526 KB; Plugin Software Help)
Preventing Medication Errors in Ambulatory Care: The Importance of Establishing Regimen Concordance (PDF File, 253 KB; Plugin Software Help)
Speaking Plainly: Communicating the Patient's Role in Health Care Safety (PDF File, 170 KB; Plugin Software Help)

Evidence Reports

Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, No. 175:
Barriers and Drivers of Health Information Technology Use for the Elderly, Chronically Ill, and Underserved
Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, No. 199:
Health Literacy Interventions and Outcomes, Update

Health Information Technology

Accessible Health Information Technology (IT) for Populations with Limited Literacy: A Guide for Developers and Purchasers of Health IT (PDF File, 268 KB; Plugin Software Help)

Health Literacy Tools

Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit
AHRQ Informed Consent and Authorization Toolkit for Minimal Risk Research
Health Literacy Measurement Tools
Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital

CAHPS®—Surveys of Patients' Experience of Care

CAHPS® Item Set for Addressing Health Literacy

Impact Case Studies and Knowledge Transfer Case Studies

Saint Louis University School of Medicine Incorporates AHRQ's Health Literacy Toolkit Into Curriculum
Highmark Uses AHRQ Materials in Health Literacy Outreach Program
Marshfield Clinic Using AHRQ's Patient Education Tools
American Medical Association/AMA Foundation Used AHRQ's Evidence Report No. 87, Literacy and Health Outcomes

Patient Safety Network

Health Literacy Improvement
Informed Consent

Patient Safety Research Highlights

Guide for Developing a Community-Based Patient Safety Advisory Council (PDF File, 550 KB; Plugin Software Help)
Most people have difficulty understanding pharmaceutical label instructions, regardless of their cultural background and level of education
Patient Safety Toolkits: Discharge—resources to help hospitals discharge patients safely without medication or other problems
Patient Safety Toolkits: Communication and Patient-Centered Care—resources to enhance communication between caregivers and patients
Reducing Discrepancies in Medication Histories and Orders at Handoffs

Pharmacy Tools

Pharmacy Health Literacy Center

Advancing Pharmacy Health Literacy Practices Through Quality Improvement: Curricular Modules for Faculty
Automated Telephone Reminders
How to Create a Pill Card
Is Our Pharmacy Meeting Patients' Needs? A Pharmacy Health Literacy Assessment Tool User's Guide
Strategies To Improve Communication Between Pharmacy Staff and Patients

Program Brief

Health Literacy

QualityTools

Health Literacy

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Shared Decision-Making About Screening and Chemoprevention: A Suggested Approach from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

WebM&M

Language Barrier
Lethal Cap

Top of Page Top of Page

Cultural and Linguistic Competency

AHRQ Activities to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care

Setting the Agenda for Research on Cultural Competence in Health Care

TeamSTEPPS® Enhancing Safety for Patients With Limited English Proficiency ModuleNew!

CAHPS®—Surveys of Patients' Experience of Care

CAHPS® Cultural Competence Item Set
Translating CAHPS® Survey Materials

Guides for Hospitals

Hospital Language Services: Quality Improvement and Performance Measures (PDF File, 127 KB; Plugin Software Help)

Improving Patient Safety Systems for Patients With Limited English Proficiency: A Guide for HospitalsNew!

Guides for Managed Care Plans

Oral, Linguistic, and Culturally Competent Services: Guides for Managed Care Plans
Providing Oral Linguistic Services
Planning Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services
What Is Cultural and Linguistic Competence? Definitions

Issue Briefs

Improving Access to Language Services in Health Care: A Look at National and State Efforts

MEPS

Statistical Brief #312: Patient-Provider Communication by Race/Ethnicity and Disability Status: United States, 2007

Research Findings #28: Demographics and Health Care Access and Utilization of Limited-English-Proficient and English-Proficient Hispanics

QualityTools

Cultural Competence

Top of Page Top of Page

 

AHRQAdvancing Excellence in Health Care