Family Health in Adult Education: A Missing Piece of the Health Literacy Puzzle

Abstract

Previous research and interventions define health literacy as an individual-level concept. Although it is necessary to design programs aimed at individual people, not all health decisions are made by patients themselves, and calls have been made to expand health literacy work beyond the individual. This brief report stems from a larger study in which personnel working for adult literacy coalitions identified family health as a priority topic for health-focused lessons, yet often felt ill-equipped to teach students in this area. This brief report examines adult educators' perspectives on the types of content needed for a family health module designed for the adult education curriculum. Personnel from adult literacy coalitions offered qualitative insights on their desires for health literacy content in the context of family care. Adult literacy coalition educators and staff can provide important insights regarding the health literacy needs of adults in vulnerable populations. Three key themes emerged: American Family Health, Nutritious Eating, and Identify and Act. Rather than using a personal approach, a program that frames health literacy as family health and offers a holistic view on caring for others may serve to provide important context for health decisions and communication for adults at literacy centers.

Keywords

• health literacy
• adult basic education
• literacy