Health Literacy and ESL: Integrating Community Based Models for the U.S. Mexico

描述（由申请人提供）：低健康素养是导致西班牙裔人健康状况较差、死亡率和发病率较高的一个因素。研究系统地发现，这一人群的卫生素养水平较低。文献广泛讨论了健康与扫盲之间的联系，并建议通过以社区为基础的教育外展来努力促进卫生扫盲。此外，有证据表明，将健康纳入成人教育，包括英语作为第二语言（ESL）教学，是有益的。随着西班牙裔移民人数的持续增长，ESL课程构成了宝贵的教育资源。美国几乎每个社区都提供这种服务，而且通常是免费的。此外，根据文献，西班牙裔人比其他人群更多地参与ESL教学。然而，文献缺乏关于有效使用ESL教学来发展健康素养技能的干预措施的信息，特别是对西班牙裔成年人。本研究将测试使用传统ESL教学提高西班牙裔成年人健康素养技能的可行性。该研究将利用现有的社区基础设施实施健康素养课程：成人教育计划和凯洛格母亲/女儿/父亲/儿子计划。目标包括制定、实施和评价文化上适当的健康素养课程，该课程可纳入ESL教学。将采用定量和定性两种方法来评价所提议的干预措施的可行性。该项目的结果将有助于文献，为未来的研究提供基线数据，并使社区受益。公共卫生相关性：有证据表明，将健康纳入成人教育，包括ESL教学是有益的。然而，文献缺乏关于有效利用成人教育发展卫生素养技能的干预措施的信息，特别是针对西班牙裔成年人。本研究将测试使用传统ESL教学提高西班牙裔成年人健康素养技能的可行性。结果将有助于文献，为未来的研究提供基线数据，并使社区受益。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Low health literacy is a factor contributing to poorer health status and higher mortality and morbidity among Hispanics. Studies have systematically found low levels of health literacy in this population group. The literature has discussed extensively the connection between health and literacy, and recommends that efforts to promote health literacy can be achieved through community-based education outreach. Additionally, there exists evidence of the benefits of incorporating health into adult education, including English-as a-Second Language (ESL) instruction. As the number of Hispanic immigrants continues to grow, ESL classes constitute a valuable educational resource. They are offered in nearly every community across the U.S., and are generally free of charge. Additionally, according to the literature, Hispanics participate in ESL instruction more than other population groups. However, the literature lacks information on interventions which have used ESL instruction effectively for developing health literacy skills, particularly with Hispanic adults. This study will test the feasibility of using conventional ESL instruction for improving health literacy skills among Hispanic adults. The study will implement a health literacy curriculum using existing community-based infrastructures: an adult education program and the Kellogg Mother/Daughter-Father/Son Program. Objectives include the development, implementation and evaluation of a culturally appropriate health literacy curriculum which can be integrated into ESL instruction. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches will be used for evaluating the feasibility of the proposed intervention. The results of this project will contribute to the literature, provide baseline data for future research, and benefit the community. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: There exists evidence of the benefits of incorporating health into adult education, including ESL instruction. However, the literature lacks information on interventions which have effectively used adult education for developing health literacy skills, particularly with Hispanic adults. This study will test the feasibility of using conventional ESL instruction for improving health literacy skills among Hispanic adults. The results will contribute to the literature, provide baseline data for future research, and benefit the community.