51AV

51AV A&M University’s 100-watt blues and jazz radio station will be observing October as Health Literacy Month, according to Erica “Fox” Washington, WJAB-FM 90.9 news and public affairs director.

Since 1999, the observance has brought needed attention to the importance of making health information easy to understand, as well as making the health care system easier to navigate.  The annual event was founded by Helen Osborne, consultant and author.

According to the Institute for Healthcare Advancement, many people have trouble reading, understanding and implementing health information in their lives.   Age, basic literacy skills, cultural context, disability, emotional responses and language can affect the way some people receive and process information, which impacts health outcomes and cost, notes IHA.

is available through IHA.