Developing Practical Tools for Increasing Health Literacy Related to HIV

Since low health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes (e.g., poor management of chronic diseases like HIV), which impacts the cost of healthcare in Canada, the current project aims to mitigate the effects of low health literacy. A recent report released by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) highlighted that considering health literacy skills of health care providers is equally important as the users of information. This project will generate practical materials (modules, tools, graphics for website development, etc.) for improving health literacy that will be distributed by OHTN to front-line service providers working with populations at risk for and those already living with HIV. The aim of this project is to improve the resources made available to encourage greater health literacy/numeracy on HIV among both service providers and their clients/patients and to develop a standard set of research protocols for OHTNs future projects examining health literacy/numeracy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ken Cramer

Student:

Shayna Skakoon-Sparling

Partner:

Ontario HIV Treatment Network

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Windsor