• Health Tech

Improving Patient Outcomes: The Importance of Health Literacy in Healthcare

February 08, 2023

• Low health literacy is a significant issue that transcends social determinants of health, such as education, income, and background.
• Dr. Fitzpatrick uses technology and digital media to deliver culturally appropriate and trusted health information to communities historically underserved by the healthcare system.
• Improving health literacy is a crucial step in advancing health equity.

Low health literacy is a significant issue that transcends social determinants of health, such as education, income, and background. It is linked to poor healthcare outcomes, exacerbating health inequity and limiting access to information that can improve health situations. However, physicians like Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA, an infectious disease specialist, and epidemiologist, are working to change that.

As the founder and CEO of Grapevine Health, a Washington-based company, Dr. Fitzpatrick uses technology and digital media to deliver culturally appropriate and trusted health information to communities historically underserved by the healthcare system. Her goal is to improve health literacy and engage people in the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. In a recent interview with the AMA and on the In Full Health Learning and Action Community website, Dr. Fitzpatrick emphasized the importance of addressing health literacy needs to prevent exacerbating health inequity. By providing people with the information they need, healthcare providers can help reduce disparities in healthcare outcomes and improve overall health.

The In Full Health Learning and Action Community is an initiative that engages the healthcare industry to encourage digital solutions that address the needs of historically marginalized communities while avoiding unintentional bias. The AMA, which leads the initiative, aims to embed racial justice and advance health equity in its strategic plan.

Improving health literacy is a crucial step in advancing health equity. Through innovative solutions like Grapevine Health and initiatives like In Full Health, healthcare providers and organizations can empower patients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health, regardless of their social determinants of health. By addressing health literacy needs, we can significantly reduce health disparities and improve healthcare outcomes for all.