Navigating Systems: Libraries
NNLM contains resources for public library staff to incorporate into their work, programs, and services. Others will also find useful resources and information about evaluating health information, information resources, multilingual health information, substance use disorders, mental health, health programming, and health insurance.
Navigating Systems: Insurance
Reading an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) by CMS: A guide to understanding the summary document your health insurer sends after you receive care, explaining costs, coverage, and what you owe
Understanding definitions by CMS: A helpful glossary defining standard health insurance terms like copays, deductibles, coinsurance, and premiums.
Navigating Systems: Healthcare
This Roadmap by CMS explains what health coverage is and how you can use it to get primary care to help you and your family.
Guide to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services by CMS: An overview of covered mental health and substance use treatment services and how to access them through your insurance
Telehealth: What to know for your family by CMS: Practical guidance on how virtual healthcare visits work, what equipment you need, and how to prepare for a telehealth appointment
Guide for People with Disabilities by CMS: Information on specialized healthcare coverage options, rights, and support services available for individuals living with disabilities
Returning to the Community: Health Care After Incarceration by CMS: A resource detailing how formerly incarcerated individuals can enroll in health coverage and re-establish primary care services.
Tips for Understanding Your Drug Coverage and Prescriptions by CMS: A practical guide explaining prescription drug formularies, tier systems, and ways to save on medication costs.
Health Literacy: Organizational Health Literacy
UHLC Organizational Health Literacy Guidebook presents tips and best practices, principles, practical strategies, techniques, and a collection of approximately 50 common organizational health literacy resources, all in one place.
Developing a plan in your organization by CDC: Step-by-step guidance for healthcare organizations on creating and implementing strategic health literacy plans.
Clear communication by design: Health information planning worksheets by UHLC: A set of practical planning sheets designed to help organizations structure and design clear, accessible written health materials.
Advancing Organizational Health Literacy by Cook County Public Health: Strategies and actionable framework steps for institutions aiming to reduce systemic health literacy barriers for patients.
Plain Language for Public Health by Public Health Communications Collaborative: Best practices and examples for translating complex medical and public health concepts into easy-to-understand language.
Learn about using plain language in your work by NIH: Practical training guidelines and principles from the NIH to help writers convey health information plainly and accurately.
Ethnomed: A database of cultural profiles, health concepts, and translated educational materials to aid clinicians in caring for immigrant and refugee populations.
MedlinePlus: A reliable, patient-friendly resource providing plain-language information on diseases, conditions, wellness, and drug interactions, available in multiple languages.
AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit (3rd ed.): A comprehensive framework helping practice teams simplify communication and ensure all patients understand their care plans regardless of health literacy level
AHRQ Pharmacy health literacy assessment tool user’s guide: A guide for assessing and improving the clarity of written, verbal, and visual communications within pharmacy settings.
Digital Health Literacy Toolkit by GDHP: Resources and recommendations designed to improve digital health inclusion and help community members navigate online health portals and tools.
Health Literacy: Evaluating Materials
Patient Education Material Assessment Tool (PEMAT) by AHRQ: An evaluation method to systematically assess the understandability and actionability of print and audiovisual patient education materials.
Health Education Material Assessment Tool by the National Library of Medicine: A practical checklist for evaluating health content to ensure readability, cultural appropriateness, and clear formatting.
Clear Communication Index (CCI) by CDC: A research-tested set of criteria to assess and improve the clarity and impact of public communication materials.
Plain Language Checklist by UHLC: A concise review checklist to help authors ensure their health documents adhere to basic plain language principles before publication.
WebAim: Contrast Checker is a tool to test color combinations to make sure text is clear, readable, and easy for everyone to see
Health Literacy: Measuring Health Literacy
Health Literacy Tool Shed, by Tufts University: An online database containing dozens of validated health literacy measurement tools and assessments for research and clinical use.
Health Literacy: Miscellaneous Topics
Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) by CDC is a tool for examining school health education curricula.
NIH Interactive quizzes for K–12 teachers and learners. Topics include superbugs, health literacy, lung health, and more