Health Forward Announces Recipients of Health Literacy Implementation Grants

Date: June 21, 2013
Contact: Jennifer Sykes
Phone: 816-241-7006
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As part of the Health Literacy Initiative, the Health Forward Foundation (Health Forward), in collaboration with Health Literacy Missouri and the University of Missouri Center for Health Policy, has announced five recipients of Health Literacy Implementation grants, totaling $98,428 in awards.

The Health Literacy Initiative began in 2012 with an aim to:

support adoption and assessment of evidence-based or promising health literacy practices to improve health knowledge and behaviors of safety net patients, and
sufficiently implement effective health literacy practices into the routine operations of participating safety net providers and community organizations such that they are able to sustain the practices beyond the grant period.
The heart of this special initiative is the Health Literacy Implementation grants. This program provides seed funding for organizations in the Health Forward service area to embed at least one evidence-based or promising health literacy practice into their day-to-day operations during an 18-month period.

Recipients of the Health Literacy Implementation grants include:

​Children’s Mercy Hospital, $20,000
Project
Kidney Center Pilot Project: Integrating Teach Back into Clinical Practice to Increase Patient/Family Understanding & Satisfaction
The goal of the Kidney Center pilot project is to integrate Teach Back methodology into clinical practice in the Kidney Center at Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics. Teach Back has been proven to be an effective tool to communicate health care information to pediatric patients and caregivers. Effectively communicating health care information aids patients and their families in better managing their illness and promotes improved patient health and wellness.

Curators of University of Missouri, $19,763
Project
From Snapshots to Adherence: Using Photovoice to Create Understandable, Accessible, and Effective Medication Adherence Materials for People with HIV/AIDS (The Snapshots Project)
The goal of this project is to increase knowledge and improve attitudes and communication with health care providers regarding medication adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS. Consenting patients will receive cameras and other materials to help convey their views about medications, treatment plans and health care experiences. The patients’ products will be incorporated into clinician training and the development of patient communication materials.

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, $20,000
Project
Quest to Understand and Educate Seniors Today Project
Using the book, What To Do for Senior Health, and various educational methods, Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) will identify the most effective ways to teach adults over the age of 60 how to live independently longer, how to communicate effectively with health care providers, and how to be effective advocates for their health care needs.

Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, $18,700
Project
Health Literacy Multicultural, Multilingual Waiting Room Video Project
Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center will produce two- to three-minute videos to be played in the clinic’s reception areas. Video topics may include when to go to the emergency room, what to bring to doctor’s appointments, how to manage diabetes, how to partner with your provider and take charge of your health, or other topics designed to reduce gaps between the demands that health care delivery makes on patients and patients’ abilities to meet those demands.

Truman Medical Centers, $19,965
Project
Using Education and Tools to Promote Understanding/Engagement in Medication Management
The project will engage TMC staff and patients living in the top five zip codes served by the hospital in strengthening medication management skills. Clinician training on evidence-based health literacy interventions will improve providers’ ability to communicate with patients at high risk for adverse medication events. Patients will select or design tracking tools to help them adhere to medication regimens.