Jennifer Rose, Katie Osborn and Sylvia Harris

Literacy Assistance Center

Grant Awarded: $23,000

Studies show that more than 45% of American adults navigating the health care system are functionally illiterate. The rate is higher among minority populations, the elderly and patients who report overall poor health. The problem costs an estimated $73 billion a year.

Citizens Research & Design and the Literacy Assistance Center in New York have joined forces to tackle this problem both from the patient side by helping teachers fuse health care navigation skills into existing literacy programs, and the health care provider side by showing how effective communication practices can help patients follow written treatment instructions better. This grant provides funding for a “Following Doctor’s Orders” campaign, which will include a memorable presentation, poster and video.