With the release of Healthy People 2030 last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided a definition of personal health literacy and a definition of organizational health literacy. Earlier versions of Healthy People did not make this distinction. The HHS update emphasizes people’s ability to use health information rather than just understand it. The new definitions also acknowledge that organizations have a responsibility to address health literacy. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the new definitions, and to view a great video on personal, clinical and organizational health literacy.
