Literacy Nanaimo Newsletter

Health Literacy

The Canadian Council on Learning conducted a study of Health Literacy among Canadians. Finding are :

More than half (55%) of Canadians aged 16 to 65 do not have levels of health literacy adequate to read nutrition labels, follow medication directions, understand safety instructions, or make informed and adequate choices for their own healthy living.

• adults with less than a high-school education perform well below adults with higher levels of education and this gap widens with age.
• Health literacy varies significantly by province and territory.
• Differences in literacy and numeracy skills exert a profound influence on a range of social, educational and economic outcomes. Differences in average health-literacy skill seem to be associated with large differences in perceived general health status.
• Large differences in average literacy exist between different population sub-groups, especially among the elderly.
• Canadians have higher levels of health literacy than do Americans.

Health literacy is particularly low among seniors, who require health services most and are prescribed the greatest number of medications. Of all Canadians older than 65, 88% lack the literacy skills needed to deal with health information.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who came out in the rain on Raise a Reader Day. We raised $6,500.00 that day that will be matched by the Provincial Government. We understand the Downtown Rotary Club had a very successful book sale and expect approximately $11,000.00 from that event that will also be matched for Raise a Reader.

Season’s Greetings
and
best wishes for the New Year!

from the
Board of Directors
and Staff
of
                                        Literacy Central VI

Great Nanaimo Toy Drive

You can drop off new, unwrapped, children’s books for the Christmas Toy Drive at Literacy Central VI.