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NALA MSD Crystal Clear Awards 2010 - Healthcare bodies unite to increase patient understanding
05 January 2010The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), Arthritis Ireland, the Department of Health & Children and pharmaceutical company, MSD have united for the first time today to raise awareness and address the issue of health literacy in our healthcare system. Health literacy is the term used to describe people’s ability to understand and communicate health information. All groups are concerned about the findings of a recent GP survey which shows that only 31% of GPs are aware that half of the Irish population have low literacy skills.1 The health groups are working together to encourage patients and people working in the healthcare sector to have a united voice for health literacy in Ireland.
Áine Brady, TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Older People and Health Promotion, said, ‘People working in the healthcare sector play an important part in improving health literacy by communicating more clearly and making information and services more accessible to patients. The Department of Health and children acknowledges that health literacy is an important issue in Ireland and is committed to improving people’s access to health information."
These healthcare bodies are uniting to coincide with the launch of the 2010 Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards. Launched in 2007 the awards recognise and reward excellence in health literacy in the healthcare sector. In the true sense of the word 'Unity', the awards are a partnership between MSD and NALA with representation on the judging panel from the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the Irish Practice Nurses Association (IPNA), UCD, a General Practice and the Adelaide Hospital Society. For further information or to enter the Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards 2010 log onto www.healthliteracy.ie.
"We are very pleased that the awards have been successful in increasing understanding of health literacy in the healthcare sector and we've noticed a significant increase in interest and numbers of projects in the area over the last three years. We hope that ultimately the Awards and many of the other health literacy projects which are ongoing will result in improved health outcomes for patients." said Ms Ciara O'Rourke, External Affairs Director, MSD.
Patient organisation, Arthritis Ireland is very aware of the importance of health literacy in understanding health information. Their helpline receives many calls from people who are confused by the information they receive. This prompted Arthritis Ireland to revise its range of patient information leaflets using language that is more easily understood by people with arthritis, their families and carers. “We know that people with arthritis who are well informed about their condition are more likely to lead a better quality of life. Arthritis Ireland feels strongly that important health information should be more accessible for the people that need it,” said John Church, CEO of Arthritis Ireland. “The booklet, 'Arthritis-key words in plain language' was developed with MSD to help people understand arthritis and we hope it will encourage other organisations to do the same.”
“We know from our work in this area that a large section of the Irish population does not have the literacy skills needed to understand and use our health service. To address this, NALA will be conducting research in 2010 and assessing the literacy demands called for in a number of healthcare settings, including materials such as health leaflets and public notices in places like hospitals and G.P centres. Literacy and more specifically health literacy is a complex and challenging issue that requires a range of integrated responses. We hope this research will help inform best practice in relation to health literacy.” commented Ms Inez Bailey, Director, National Adult Literacy Agency.
Media partner to the awards this year is The Irish Medical Times. For further information on the Health Literacy or the Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards 2010 log onto www.healthliteracy.ie. The closing date for entries is Friday 29th January 2010.
-ENDS-
References
1.This result is based on GP Omnibus survey data commissioned by MSD. The survey was carried out by Ipsos MORI. The research took place between March and April 2009. 100 GPs were interviewed via Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing. The sample was broadly representative of the GP population by region.
Notes to Editor
Definition of health literacy
Health literacy involves a person being able to understand basic health information whether they receive it in writing, in person or over the phone. It also involves a person having the knowledge to understand their options and make informed decisions about their own health.
People working in the healthcare sector play an important part in improving health literacy by communicating more clearly and making information and services more accessible to patients.
According to the International Adult Literacy Survey, conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1997, over 50% of Irish adults are affected in some way by literacy difficulties.
About MSD
Merck & Co., Inc. and Schering-Plough are in the process of completing a merger globally. In Ireland, the newly combined MSD now employees more than 2,300 people across six manufacturing sites, an animal health commercial operation and two sales, marketing and clinical research centres based in counties, Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Tipperary and Wicklow. Together both companies have invested more than €2bn in Ireland over the last four decades. For further information visit www.msd.ie
Today's Merck & Co., Inc. is working to help the world be well. Through our medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer and animal products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching programs that donate and deliver our products to the people who need them. Merck. Be Well. For more information, visit www.merck.com
About the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)
The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) is an independent member-based organisation committed to making sure people with literacy and numeracy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to learning opportunities that meet their needs. NALA was established in 1980 and has campaigned since then for the recognition of, and response to, the adult literacy issue in Ireland. It is concerned with developing policy, advocacy, research and offering
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