Health Literacy

'Health literacy' can be defined as

'An individual's capacity to seek, understand and utilise health information to make informed decisions about their own health'
(USA Department of Health & Human Services, "Healthy People 2010")

or simply as

‘the capacity to acquire, understand and use information for health’
(Nutbeam, D. 2009, November).

Health Literacy Working Group

The Health Literacy Working Group is formed as a sub group of the Patient Journey and Communications Steering Group. It has ownership of the VQC's strategic objective. 'to support improved health literacy for Victorian consumers'.

The group members are: Ms Jo Bourke (Chair), Dr Annie Moulden, Ms Liza Newby, Mr Ivan Kayne and Ms Jodie Ashworth.

• Consumer Training Pilot Project
• Consumer forum – getting the most out of the clinical conversation
• Talking With Your Doctor resources - guide and DVD
• Workshop at the Great Healthcare Challenge conference

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Further information

For further information on the forum or on the Health Literacy Working group, contact Ann-Maree Baker, Project Officer on (03) 9096 1380.

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