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MEDIA ADVISORY: Governor to Announce Health Literacy Month

Proclamation notes the work of Health Literacy Missouri and MU research center

September 23rd, 2009

Story Contact: Emily Martin, (573) 882-3346, martinem@missouri.edu

WHAT: Gov. Jay Nixon will proclaim October to be Health Literacy Month in Missouri to encourage Missouri residents and health professionals to learn more about the importance of health literacy. The proclamation recognizes the work of Health Literacy Missouri, a Missouri Foundation for Health project to enhance health literacy in Missouri, and the Health Communication Research Center (HCRC) at the University of Missouri.

Health literacy describes how easily an individual understands and receives information about their health and health care. The term also describes how well health professionals communicate information to their patients and clients. Individuals with low health literacy have longer hospital stays, get sick more often, are less able to manage chronic diseases, and are less likely to receive physicals and tests that are important for early detection of diseases. Some of the groups at risk for low health literacy include individuals ages 65 and older, minorities and low-income individuals.

WHO: Speakers will include

  • Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
  • James Kimmey, president and CEO of Missouri Foundation for Health
  • Arthur Culbert, executive director of Health Literacy Missouri

This event is free and open to the public.

WHERE: Room 216, Capitol Building, Jefferson City   

WHEN: 10:15 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23

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