By: Ram Upreti, Kara Saiki, Mary Ann Abrams, Alexandria Jones, Krizia Melendez, Jessica Chevrolet, Heather Pennington, Aaron Leadingham, Denise Martin, and Tetine Sentell

Abstract

This perspectives article shares insights from a county-level project in Franklin County, Ohio, to build collective organizational health literacy (HL) capacity across new sustainable networks to advance community-level HL. We provide an overview of the initiative followed by specific insights from a cultural liaison, the article's first author, who works in a community-based organization. He shares his collectivist perspective in building HL capacity at the grassroots level toward community-level goals. A shift in focus from individual responsibility to collective impact represents an important mindset change for attaining HL and builds on community strengths and values toward health equity.

October is recognized as Health Literacy Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of health literacy and promoting better health outcomes for everyone. 

Health literacy refers to our ability to understand and interpret health-related information and make informed decisions about our well-being. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same level of health literacy, leading to disparities in health outcomes. 

The purpose of Health Literacy Awareness Month is to encourage individuals to develop their health literacy skills and provide them with the necessary resources to access and understand health information. This includes promoting the use of plain language in health communication and providing information in different formats, such as videos and infographics. 

By increasing health literacy awareness, we can empower individuals in our communities to make informed decisions about their health, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted members of their communities, working to improve the health outcomes of individuals and communities. CHWs play a vital role in promoting health literacy by providing education and resources to their clients and communities.

Health Impact Ohio Community Health Worker Statewide Conference Presentation Highlight: How Adverse Childhood Experiences Inform CHW Care and Services

Health Impact Ohio is excited to share a recording of a breakout presentation from our Community Health Worker Statewide Conference held this past September. This video recording includes our Chief Education and Equity Officer, Dr. Tanikka Price, speaking about Adverse Childhood Experiences. Throughout the presentation, Dr. Price covers better understanding the bigger picture of how trauma experienced in childhood can inform clients behavior, understanding the cultural implications of adverse childhood experiences and how certain groups are affected, and understanding how personal trauma can impact working with clients. 

Health Impact Ohio Chief Transformation Officer Participates in AHEAD Kickoff

This October, Health Impact Ohio’s Chief Transformation Officer, Caroline Carter, participated in the Northeast Ohio Quality Improvement HUB Achieving Health Equity in Diabetes Kickoff.

Caroline co-facilitated a QI session during the kickoff, met with the participating practices, and facilitated tabletop conversations helping participants (multi-sector persons - practices, patients, and payers) work through the process of generating an aim statement and a plan for addressing Diabetes. Health Impact Ohio is excited to continue supporting this work as we finish the last quarter of 2023 and prepare for 2024.

CMHA Investing $65M in Affordable Housing in Whitehall, Hilliard and Westerville

This month, the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) Board of Commissioners announced the approval of a combined total of $64.9 million in new investments that will rehabilitate or preserve 242 apartments for senior citizens and/or Columbus-area families.

“The Board’s decision is just the latest example of CMHA being laser-focused on providing affordable housing and meeting the needs of our neighbors in Columbus and throughout Franklin County,” said CMHA Board Chair James L. Ervin, Jr. “Our goal is to ensure CMHA remains an innovative agent for change and continues to evolve to meet the region’s housing needs” (CMHA Press Release).