By: Guest Commentary
By Leni Preston
The writer is an independent health policy expert. She lives in Bethesda.
COVID-19 has taught us many lessons. Addressing them will take both expertise and time. However, I am excited that one key issue can be addressed right now in the Maryland General Assembly. That is the need for consumers to have timely and accurate information as part of a well-coordinated communication strategy.
How? By passing House Bill 1082, sponsored by Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s). This legislation would establish a Consumer Health Information Hub at the University of Maryland Horowitz Center for Health Literacy.
When you read or hear the term “health literacy” do your eyes glaze over? In my experience, most people’s do. So, you may ask yourself, why is this legislation important.
I doubt your answer would be that health literacy is actually critical to Maryland’s success with its current effort to transform our health care system. Or that there is a vital intersection between health literacy and health equity, the urgent need for which was exposed during the pandemic. Yet those are valid policy arguments, and for more than a decade I have advocated for these as essential for a patient-centered health system.
Today, though, I have a far more personal reason for supporting House Bill 1082with its promise of raising health literacy levels for consumers across the state. That’s because for the past 10 months I have been immersed in the health care system as a cancer patient. Viewing health literacy through this new lens has made it clear to me that we simply must provide every single Marylander with the information and resources they need to make the best decisions for the health and well-being of themselves and their family. Continue reading at Maryland Matters.
Photo: Pixabay.com photo by Bru-nO.
