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Literacy and health are linked together like pieces of a puzzle. Literacy is the ability to read and write - irregardless of the context of one's surroundings. Health Literacy is the ability to read, write and comprehend the vocabulary and concepts used in healthcare settings. People need to be able to perform basic reading and number skills in order to make and carry our decisions affecting their health. Parents need to have adequate literacy skills to be able to understand appointment cards, prescription labels and medicine amounts. This enables them to properly and safely care for their children. Twenty percent of Maine adults do not have these skills. Healthcare providers have a special relationship to parents of young children and to the children themselves. They provide an important role in helping parents understand how to manage their child's health and development. Reading aloud to a child from birth helps them develop the skills they need to succeed in school. Giving books at well-child visits gives the healthcare provider the opportunity to stress the importance of reading with the parents and offer guidance and support for sharing books with the child. Story Seeking, Story Sharing: The Privilege of Being a Pediatric Provider |
