In the vast rural expanses of America, access to healthcare and health literacy are critical issues. Three programs, each with a unique approach, are making strides in addressing these challenges: the Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network in Florida, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Maryland Horowitz Center.
Florida’s Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network: A Comprehensive Approach
The Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network (LORHN) is making waves in Florida’s rural communities. Serving the counties of Okeechobee, Martin, Glades, Hendry, and Palm Beach, LORHN is one of nine Rural Health Networks in Florida dedicated to improving access to and delivery of affordable healthcare.
LORHN offers a broad range of services, including health insurance enrollment, prescription assistance, care coordination, and linkage to community resources. They also provide professional development and training, health literacy education workshops, and diabetes and chronic disease self-management workshops.
One of LORHN’s standout programs is the “Your Health Matters” workshop. This initiative aims to empower individuals to make their own health decisions by equipping them with the tools to understand and communicate about basic health information and services.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Empowering Libraries and Communities
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is taking a unique approach to health literacy. The UNC Health Sciences Library (HSL) is committed to raising awareness and educating healthcare providers, librarians, and the public on the effects of health literacy on individuals and the healthcare system.
The HSL leads the “Engaging for Health in Rural North Carolina Communities” project, which aims to empower public library staff to answer consumer questions about health services. The project also supports community members in improving health literacy and increasing awareness of trustworthy sources of health information.
University of Maryland Horowitz Center: Harnessing Technology for Health Literacy
The University of Maryland Horowitz Center for Health Literacy is a research center dedicated to promoting health literacy through research, education, and service projects. One of their notable projects is the “Health Literacy Champions Toolkit”, an assessment and planning tool designed for organizations and local health departments.
The Horowitz Center is also developing a smartphone application known as HealthyMe/MiSalud. This application is intended for English-speaking African Americans and Spanish-speaking Hispanic adults. It aims to help them develop health goals, build personal health libraries, gain access to preventive health and medical information, and make informed health decisions.
We need more research…
While each of these programs has a unique approach, they all share a common goal: to improve health literacy and access to healthcare services in rural areas. Their innovative strategies and dedication to their communities serve as a model for other rural health initiatives across the country.