Updated data on Adult Functional Literacy

In previous years there has been the ALLS (2004-2006) data and the IALS (1994-1998). They surveyed adult competencies in reading and understanding written information. The data collected from Australia indicated 46% of adult Australians had non- functional literacy. www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4228.0


This year, the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC)
will be released. It is based on 2011 - 2012 data collected from 25 countries, including Australia. The full report is planned for release on 8th October 2013, just prior to the International PLAIN conference in Vancouver, Canada. www.plain2013.org

The PIAAC survey focuses on the skills people need for success in the information age. It looks at the skills people use in their jobs, including:

• reading
• numeracy
• team work
• communication
• presentation skills
• information and technology skills.

 There are a number of websites you can visit to read further on this
 www.deewr.gov.au/programme-international-assessment-adult-competencies-piaac
www.oecd.org/site/piaac/#d.en.221854

In Norway, the Norwegian Agency for Lifelong Learning www.vox.no/no/global-meny/English/About-Vox/ has put together a PowerPoint on the current status of the PIAAC.  It is also worth checking out the PowerPoint, in how the agency has used the PowerPoint with less words and used many images to convey their message. www2.basicskills.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/25.05_Xeni-Dimakos_PIAAC.pdf

Contact Cathy to talk about how adults with non functional literacy in your workplace, or who visit your workplace can access information more meaningfully. cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au

Cathy

Our nutrition and the relationship with numeracy and literacy

Over and over again we are told to read the labels on our food purchases. Even take away foods need to include information on the content of the food.

It has been shown lower literacy and numeracy are often associated with poorer

health outcomes. Our nutrition is critical to our health, so what affect does poor literacy and numeracy have on our selection of food products, and managing our diet.

A research article from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine (cited below) published in 2006 states"

"...literacy status and numeracy status remained significantly associated with poorer understanding of nutrition labels even after adjusting for income, education, and other factors. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with poor literacy skills have worse knowledge of their chronic illness and can have worse clinical outcomes..."p.396

This study highlights once again the importance of thinking about your audience when providing information to patients. 

Check out this version of "Preventing Constipation" developed by the UK Bristol Primary Care Trust. http://www.easyhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/preventing_constipation.pdf 

Email Cathy at cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au to ask how you can make information more accessible for your audiences.

References:

Am J Prev Med. 2006 Nov;31(5):391-8., Patient Understanding of Food Labels. The Role of Literacy and Numeracy by Russell L. Rothman, MD, MPP, Ryan Housam, BS, Hilary Weiss, BS, Dianne Davis, RD CDE,Rebecca Gregory, MS, RD CDE, Tebeb Gebretsadik, MPH, Ayumi Shintani, PhD, MPH, Tom A. Elasy, MD, MPH downloaded 24 May 2013 at  http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/diabetes/drtc/investigators/pdf/AJPMFinal.pdf

Preventing constipation. 2008 UK Bristol Primary Care Trust. http://www.easyhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/preventing_constipation.pdf downloaded 24 May 2013

Cathy

What needs to be written in Easy English?

This is often a question asked by people new to the idea of writing in Easy English.

Think about your own life.
What information do you read?
When do you need written information?

The answer is - all aspects of your life, whether it is personal, financial, health, legal, leisure or any general time in your life.

Research has shown that people with lower literacy have poorer health outcomes, have poorer understanding of their legal rights and also poorer understanding of their financial rights and obligations, including superannuation, mortgages, insurance, and even everyday items such as mobile phone contracts.

Reading about Asthma in Easy English

There are lots of brochures available to help people understand about their asthma. However what happens when you have non functional literacy?

Recent publications from Asthma UK show us an easy way to read and understand about asthma using every day words and images. Check them out at
http://www.easyhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/Asthma%20Medicine%20card.pdf

http://www.easyhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/All%20about%20asthma.pdf

Contact me to ask how your information can be written in Easy English for consumers and service users cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au

Health Literacy

Think about how you access treatment options and preventative information about your health.

How have you come to learn about the warning signs for a stroke?
Where do you go to find out about good nutrition or the latest fad? Is the new fad too good to be true?
Do you know all the side effects of your medications?

Some people will read brochures given to them by health professionals. Some people will read advertising in the community. This is your health literacy.

What happens though when you have poor literacy, due to circumstances or reduced education or English as a second language. Read about issues for refugees at   http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/healthcare-boost-after-influx-of-newcomers-20130430-2ir6f.html

What are the outcomes for the wider community for people with poor health literacy? Read a report from Medibank at http://www.medibankhealth.com.au/files/editor_upload/File/Medibank%20Health%20Literacy%20Implications%20for%20Australia%20Summary%20Report.pdf

Email me at cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au to ask how you can improve the access to information you provide to your service users and community.