Low health literacy is particularly common among older adults and low-income patients. This is likely attributed to the fact that more than 66 percent of U.S. adults age 60 and older have inadequate or marginal literacy skills, and about 45 percent of all functionally illiterate adults live in poverty.

As part of our mission to advance solutions to improve health literacy, HLN has conducted a pilot test of a program to review patient materials from leading health care providers in order to ensure that they are readable and comprehensible.  The pilot test included materials for a recently available over-the-counter weight loss medication, high blood pressure treatment, and diabetes control.

As the result of community centered field testing groups and other efforts, HLN has formally launched the Plain Text Field Testing Program - (PTFTP) to provide solutions that improve health literacy.

Health Literacy Network (HLN) provides doctors and health care providers with a community based program to help develop materials for persons with low literacy skills and Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Through peer directed field testing, health care providers learn if the objectives of their materials have been met and clearly expressed to the intended audience.

The end result is a far more readable and understandable product.  It includes a glossary of potentially difficult terms and provides understandable information about risks and benefits in plain language.  The results are materials that bridge the literacy gap and make health information accessible to everyone.