The Health Literacy Clearinghouse is a sought-after resource that provides health literacy information on various subject areas and in several formats, for the public as well as for health professionals, educators, researchers, and health advocates.  The site provides accurate, easy to locate health information, statewide health awareness focus on flu, pre-natal care, healthy eating, weight loss, etc., and information about Stanford’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Education programs, called “Living Longer Living Stronger” in Oklahoma.  Additionally, the Clearinghouse provides information specific to Oklahoma health literacy efforts and activities.

The Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign has developed this website which provides the general public, individuals needing health services and health professionals with information and resources that are relevant, current, easy to read and understand.  The format of the website is user-friendly, informative and designed to inspire the individual and organization to make positive health changes.  Health information is available in various media formats (i.e., videos, podcasts, pamphlets, webinars and power point presentations).

Website Subject matter topics include:

o Oklahoma Health Literacy Resources

o Health Literacy Training

o Health Literacy Assessments

o Toolkits and Action Plans

o Resources for Patients

o Multimedia Presentations

o Communicating Effectively

o Research and Reports

J O I N  U S!

Would you like to learn more about us?  Would you like to participate in our activities?

EMAIL: OKHealthEquity@gmail.com

PHONE: (405) 271-9444, ext. 56410

SUBSCRIBE TO [OKHealthEquity] Listserv at: Okhealthequity@gmail.com

"Like Us" On FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/OKHealthEquity

Follow Us On TWITTER:  @okhealthequity

Health and Literacy in Oklahoma

According to United Health Foundation, Oklahoma ranked 44th in the 2013 national health ranking, up from 46th place in 2012. Even with the improvements, the state has many health challenges. Obesity, smoking, drug deaths, and cardiovascular deaths were among some of the greatest problems.

The ability to read, understand, and communicate health information is critical for all Oklahomans, but is especially challenging for individuals with low literacy skills or limited understanding of English.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, “nearly nine out of ten people had difficulty using everyday health information.”

Seven local literacy programs are addressing health literacy in their communities thanks to health literacy grants from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries with Library Services and Technology Act funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Those funded in year two of the initiative are Creek County Literacy Program, Great Plains Literacy Council, Miami Public Library Literacy Services, Moore Public Library, Northwest OK Literacy Council, Project Read, and Western OK Learning Center. To view national and state health rankings, visit: www.americashealthrankings.org

• Oklahoma Literacy Coalition –A literacy organization whose mission is: “To lead a collaboration of literacy providers and supporters to strengthen services and present a united voice for literacy in Metropolitan Oklahoma City.” Their website is: www.okcliteracycoalition.org

• Rogers County Literary Council. Health and general literacy information. - LINK >>

• Oklahoma Literacy Resource Office - LINK >>

• 2-1-1 Oklahoma. An easy to remember telephone number which providers call for health related & general information about human services resources. - LINK >>

• Tulsa Hispanic Resource Association. As a subcommittee of the Family Health Coalition, the Tulsa Hispanic Resource Association (THRA) is an

  interagency committee of providers serving Spanish-speaking clients and they are interested in the welfare of the Latino community.  THRA works to

  enhance the quality of life for the Hispanic/Latino community through education, advocacy and services.
  http://208.112.118.116/hispanic%20resource%20association.htm

• The Latino Community Development  Agency is an organization that enhances the quality of life in the Latino Community through

   education, leadership, services and advocacy. - LINK>>

• REACH OUT AND READ

  Reach Out and Read Oklahoma Profile

Reach Out and Read prepares America's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read's evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children. The program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities. Families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills, better prepared to achieve their potential.

Reach Out and Read's National Impact

• Reach Out and Read Programs are located in nearly 5,000 hospitals, health centers, and pediatric clinics in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands;
• Reach Out and Read serves 4 million children and families annually;
• More than 6.5 million new, developmentally-appropriate books are given to children annually;
• More than 20,000 doctors and nurses currently participate in Reach Out and Read;
• Community volunteers dedicate more than 350,000 hours of service to Reach Out and Read annually.

Reach Out and Read's State Impact

• 45 clinical locations
• 30,327 children participate annually
• 52,380 new books distributed annually

Partner Programs in Oklahoma:

• Choctaw Nation Health Clinic - Atoka, Atoka
• Variety Care / Mid-Del Family Health Center, Del City
• Garfield County Health Department, Enid
• Fort Cobb Health Center / Variety Care, Inc., Fort Cobb
• Big Pasture Health Center - Grandfield / Variety Care, Inc., Grandfield
• Choctaw Nation Health Clinic-Hugo, Hugo
• Choctaw Nation Health Clinic - Idabel, Idabel
• Lawton Indian Hospital / Pediatrics, Lawton
• Choctaw Nation Health Service Authority / McAlester Clinic, McAlester
• Northeastern Tribal Health System, Miami
• Cherokee Nation / Three Rivers Health Center, Muskogee
• Norman Health Center / Variety Care, Inc., Norman
• Fostering Hope Clinic / OU Children's Physicians, Oklahoma City
• Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Oklahoma City
• OU Children's Southwest Pediatrics, Oklahoma City
• OU Latino Clinic, Oklahoma City
• Sooner Pediatrics, Oklahoma City
• University Family Medicine Department, Oklahoma City
• University of Oklahoma Health Science Center / PremieR Clinic, Oklahoma City
• Variety Care / Lafayette Inasmuch Foundation Wellness and Pediatric Center, Oklahoma City
• Variety Care Family Health, Oklahoma City
• Variety Care, Inc. - Portland, Oklahoma City
• Variety Care, Inc. - N.W. 10th Street, Oklahoma City
• Okmulgee Indian Health Center / Children's Clinic, Okmulgee
• Pawhuska Indian Health Center, Pawnee
• Pawnee Indian Health Center, Pawnee
• Arkansas Verdigris Valley Health Centers Inc, Porter
• Cherokee Nation / Amo Salina Health Center, Salina
• Redbird Smith Health Center-Cherokee Nation, Sallisaw
• Cherokee Nation / Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center, Stilwell
• Hastings Indian Medical Center / ( IHS ), Tahlequah
• Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority / Pediatric Clinic, Talihina
• Thomas Health Center / Variety Care, Inc., Thomas
• 72 Medical Operations Squadron, Tinker AFB
• Tipton Health Center / Variety Care, Inc., Tipton
• Community Health Connection, Tulsa
• Dr. Cravens and Stevens Pediatrics, Tulsa
• Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Inc., Tulsa
• Milestones Pediatric Care, Tulsa
• Morton Comprehensive Health, Tulsa
• OSU Pediatrics at Houston Center, Tulsa
• OU Family Medicine Clinic, Tulsa
• University of Oklahoma Pediatric Clinic, Tulsa
• Westview Pediatric Care, Tulsa
• Vance Air Force Base / Pediatrics Clinic, Vance AFB

OHEC Literacy and Health Equity Position Statement - LINK >>

A baby’s early experiences shape their brain’s architecture into a strong or fragile foundation for learning, health and success in the workplace.  - LINK >>

Many Americans Have Poor Health Literacy. Sandra G. Boodman, Kaiser Health News, February 28, 2011. - LINK >>

In Plain English, Please? Health Literacy’s Rising Prominence - LINK >>

Why are rural Americans at risk for limited health literacy?  - LINK >>

Improving Your Health Literacy. – LINK >>

What is Your Health Literacy Score? – LINK >>

Health Literacy: Implications for Family Medicine. – LINK >>

Patient Education Videos. – LINK >>

Webcast: Advancing Health Literacy: Meeting the Needs of Adult Learners – LINK >>

Culture, Language and Health Literacy. Video developed by the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration on how culture, language and health literacy are important to effective health communication. – LINK >>

New Federal initiative to Increase Health Literacy.  – LINK >>

Resource Video on Health Literacy: Includes Definition of Health Literacy; Clues to Low Literacy; How Common is Health Literacy; Examples of Good & Bad Communication and many other topics. – LINK >>

A tale of two health literacies: public health and clinical approaches to health literacy. – LINK >>

Ten attributes for a health literate organization that makes it easier for people to navigate, understand, and use information. – LINK >>

• Health Literacy, Online Course by US Dept of HHS, Health Resource and Services Administration. - LINK >>

• The Teach-Back Method.  A Health Literacy Tool to ensure patient understanding. - LINK >>

• Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals, A training course to introduce fundamentals of health literacy for those within the public health field - LINK >>

• This guide is designed to help integrate health and literacy education in family literacy programs. - LINK>>

• Health Literacy in Adult Basic Education - LINK>>

• Powerpoint presentation of: Webcast, Advancing Health Literacy: Meeting the Needs of Adult Learners - LINK>>

• Health Literacy, a Clinician’s Point of View. Health Literacy: A Clinician's Point of View - LINK>>

• The Health Literacy of America’s Adults: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy.  The Health Literacy of America’s Adults is the first release of the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) health literacy results. The results are based on assessment tasks designed specifically to measure the health literacy of adults living in the United States. Health literacy was reported using four performance levels: Below Basic, Basic, Intermediate, and Proficient. The majority of adults (53 percent) had Intermediate health literacy. About 22 percent had Basic and 14 percent had Below Basic health literacy. Relationships between health literacy and background variables (such as educational attainment, age, race/ethnicity, where adults get information about health issues, and health insurance coverage) were also examined and reported. - LINK>>

•  The Organizational Self-Assessment for Addressing Health Inequities Toolkit provides public health leaders with tools and guidelines that help identify the skills, organizational practices and infrastructure needed to address health equity and provide insights into steps local health departments can take to ensure their organization can have an impact on this growing problem. - LINK>>

• Health Literacy Assessment Tools - LINK >>

• Using Microsoft Word’s Readability Program. Tools developed to measure patient’s health literacy skills. - LINK>>

• SMOG Calculator. Technique to determine the readability of your documents. - LINK>>

• How to Write Easy-to-Read Health Materials - LINK >>

• Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, provides step-by-step guidance and tools for assessing a health care practice and making changes to assist providers with connecting with patients of all literacy levels. - LINK>>

• Creating Understandable Health Information. - LINK>>

This toolkit is designed for adult and pediatric practices to help ensure that systems are in place to promote better understandings of health.

• Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective - LINK >>

• National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy - LINK >>

• Better Communication, Better Care: Provider Tools to Care for Diverse Populations. - LINK >>

• Making Health Literacy Real: The Beginnings of My Organization’s Plan for Action  - LINK>>

• Live Longer, Live Stronger with Chronic Health Conditions - LINK>>

Join others with common desires to better manage your chronic health condition(s).

This FREE six week program is designed for anyone, 18 years of age and older, wishing to:

• learn how to manage pain and fatigue,

• learn better eating habits and exercise choices, and

• learn how to talk with your doctor and family about your health.

If you have diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, chronic pain, anxiety or any other chronic health condition, the Living Longer, Living Stronger with Chronic Conditions can help you take charge of your life.

PRINT Flyer for Living Longer Living Stronger Community Workshop Locations - LINK>>

• 2016 Statewide Locations for the Living Longer Living Stronger Program and other Self-Management Programs - LINK>>

• Chronic Disease Self-Management and Health Literacy in Four Ethnic Groups. Shaw SJ et al. J Health

Commun. (2012). - LINK >>

• Health care resource center to find locate local providers, health care facilities; patient education materials and general health care information.
- LINK>>

• 2-1-1 Oklahoma. An easy telephone number to remember that provides callers with health related and general information about human services.
- LINK>>

• VIDEO - Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion - LINK >>

• Patient Education Videos - LINK>>

• Webcast: Advancing Health Literacy: Meeting the Needs of Adult Learners - LINK>>

• Health Literacy. - LINK>>

• Improving Your Health Literacy - LINK>>

• Culture, Language and Health Literacy. Video developed by the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration on how culture, language and health literacy are important to effective health communication. - LINK>>

• Resource Video on Health Literacy: Includes Definition of Health Literacy; Clues to Low Literacy; How Common is Health Literacy; Examples of Good & Bad Communication and many other topics.  - LINK>>

• Health Literacy, a Clinician’s Point of View. - LINK>>

• Collecting the Data: First Steps in Achieving Health Equity,” is a webinar from the State University of New York Albany School of Public Health that focuses on the importance of data in health equity. To improve the quality and equity of healthcare, more reliable measures are needed to assess the scope and types of disparities that exist. This webcast will address the rationale for and challenges and successes of these data collection efforts, explain why hospitals, emergency rooms, and surgery centers are logical places for data collection, and provide a roadmap for how to begin making the changes necessary to succeed.  (NOTE to users: Click on world globe to start webinar.) - LINK>>

• Health Literacy Outloud Podcasts - LINK >>

A video for providers with interviews from real patients who have struggled with instructions and medications.

• Patient and Clinician Videos - LINK >>

These videos show how asking questions can help you take better care of yourself, feel better, and even save your life.

• Health Literacy – A Prescription to End Confusion - LINK >>

Guidance on How to Become a Health Literate Organization.  Expanding on a 2-page precursor, the Institute of Medicine has published the discussion paper, "Ten Attributes of a Health Literate Health Care Organization." The paper presents 10 attributes that exemplify a health literate health care organization, the evidence to support the attributes, and concrete implementation steps.  Ten attributes for a health literate organization that makes it easier for people to navigate, understand, and use information. - LINK >>

Speaking Education’s Language: A Guide for Public Health Educator’s working in the Education Sector:  Working with schools to create healthier environments for students and staff comes with unique challenges. Public health professionals are experts in their field, but are often not as familiar with the systems, structure, language, policies and priorities that drive the education partners they are working with. This publication is designed to help public health professionals bridge the gap by highlighting potential pitfalls and providing strategies for working and communicating more effectively with education partners. - LINK>>

A Guide to Writing and Designing Easy-to-Use Health Websites - LINK >>

How to write medical information in plain English. - LINK >>

Tips on How to Talk to Your Doctor. - LINK >>

Plain language equivalents for medical terms, phrases, and references we often use.- LINK >>

Clear and Simple will help you communicate more effectively, and help people understand the language of health and health care.  - LINK >>

The Teach-Back Method.   A patient education program designed to promote communication in order to improve health outcomes. - LINK >>

Patient education handouts are helpful with topics such as dental, immunization, labor and delivery, and poison control in English and Spanish.

• Hood River Patient Pamphlets - LINK >>

Graphic images used to communicate medication instructions, precautions, and/or warnings to patients and consumers.

• USP Pictograms - LINK >>

Teachers have developed  worksheets to help learn about body parts, medicine, and health. Great for those that speak English as a second language.

• Free Printable Health Activities - LINK >>

The Arlington Education and Employment Program has developed interactive lessons on the body, living a health life, food, health problems, emergencies, and medicine.

• Health Lessons - LINK >>

The National Institute For Literacy  provides websites and book resources that are easy to read and available in several languages.

• Health Information For All - LINK >>

Phrases of courtesy in nine languages and  multilingual health materials. EthnoMED - LINK >>

HEALTH TiPS: Patient information which is developed at or below a 5th grade reading level, in English and Spanish.  - LINK >>

Improving communication with patients with low English literacy. - LINK>>

Resources designed to facilitate communication between health care staff or providers and limited English proficient (LEP) patients. - LINK>>

Culture, Language and Health Literacy. Video developed by the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration on how culture, language and health literacy are important to effective health communication. - LINK>>

Effective Communication Tools for Health Care Professionals. A free online course from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration.  - LINK>>

How to Write Easy-to-Read Health Materials. - LINK>>

Health Literacy Fact Sheets. Helpful information when designing patient education materials for consumers with low literacy. - LINK>>

Simply Put. A guide for creating easy-to-understand materials. - LINK>>

How to Communicate So Your Patients Understand - LINK >>

Health Net’s Plain Language Initiative.  To assist in communicating more effectively, and help people understand the language of health and health care. - LINK >>

Ask Me 3. A patient education program designed to promote communication in order to improve health outcomes. - LINK >>

• A State-by-State Look at Public Health Funding and Key Health Facts 2014. Developed by Trust for America’s Health, which is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. Project sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. http://www.healthyamericans.org/assets/files/TFAH2014-InvestInAmericaRpt08.pdf

• Health Literacy Around the World: Part 1, Health Literacy Efforts Outside Of the United States, by Andrew Pleasant, Ph.D., Commissioned by Roundtable on Health Literacy, Institute of Medicine. - LINK >>

• Health Literacy Around the World: Part 2, Health Literacy Efforts Within the

United States and a Global Overview, by Andrew Pleasant, Ph.D., Commissioned by Roundtable on Health Literacy, Institute of Medicine. - LINK >>

• Numeracy and the Affordable Care Act: Opportunities and challenges: Paper commissioned by the Roundtable on Health Literacy, Institute of Medicine. Authors: Ellen Peters, Louise Meilleur, and Mary Kate Tompkins, Psychology Department, The Ohio State University. - LINK >>

• A Prescription Is Not Enough: Improving Public Health with Health Literacy.

Andrew Pleasant, Ph.D., Jennifer Cabe, M.A., Laurie Martin, Sc.D., M.P.H., and R.V.

Rikard, Ph.D. Commissioned by the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Health Literacy - LINK >>

• Annual Review of Adult Learning and Literacy. Editors:  John Comings, Barbara Garners, Christine Smith, Editors. New Your: Jossey-Bass, 1999, Health and Literacy, Chapter Five.  - LINK >>

An Inter-sectoral Approach for Improving Health Literacy for Canadians - LINK >>

• A tale of two health literacies: public health and clinical approaches to health literacy - LINK>>

Improving the accessibility and quality of health care for minority, immigrant, and indigenous communities while also educating providers, policy makers, researchers, and advocates.

• Diversity RX - LINK >>

Resources from Harvard’s School of Public Health that are important in applying health literacy.

• Health Literacy Studies - LINK >>

Bringing Health Literacy Research to Practice. - LINK>>

The Health Literacy of America’s Adults: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy.  - LINK >>

Completed Research in Health Literacy Supported by NIH - LINK >>

Evaluation of a Learning Collaborative's Process and Effectiveness to Reduce Health Care Disparities Among Minority Populations. - LINK >>

2016

Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign (OHEC) Meeting

Wednesday, February 24, 2016, 2-4 pm

Oklahoma State Department of Health

1000 NE 10th St., Room 806

Oklahoma City, OK 73117

MEETING FOCUS: Community screening and discussion featuring, “The RAISING of AMERICA: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation”. This

documentary explores how a strong start for children can lead to a healthier more prosperous and more equitable America.

Seating is limited; call 405-271-9444, ext. 56543 or email karlab@health.ok.gov to RSVP or to check the availability of your local county health

department.

 Other linking locations:

• Cleveland County Health Department, 424 S. Eastern, Moore

• Comanche County Health Department,1010 S. Sheridan, Lawton

• Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St., OKC

• Payne County Health Department, 1321 W. 7th Ave., Stillwater

• Pontotoc County Health Department, 2330 Arlington St., Ada

• Tulsa County Health Department, 315 S. Utica Ave., Tulsa

2015

Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign (OHEC) Meeting

Tuesday, September 29, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Oklahoma State Department of Health 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK  73117

September is “Literacy Month” and October is “Health Literacy” Month.

The OHEC is collaborating with the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring Michelle Malizia to Oklahoma.

Ms. Malizia will speak about “Libraries and Health Organizations as Partners in Community (Public) Health”

Michelle Malizia, MA, has over 13 years providing instruction in a wide range of topics including grant writing, emerging technologies and health information

literacy. She created the workshop Grants and Proposal Writing in 2002 and has presented it to over 700 people representing a wide array of organizations

such as health departments, libraries, universities, hospitals and community-based groups. In 2007, she began teaching a workshop entitled Easy-to-

Read: Health and Wellness Materials for Consumers which provides a background on the problem of health literacy and methods to assess and create

patient friendly materials. She has presented at state and national conferences throughout the country including the Texas Public Health Association, New

Mexico Public Health Association, Arkansas Library Association, Texas Library Association, Medical Library Association, National Student Nurses

Association and American Pediatrics Association.  She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado and an MA in Library and Information

Science from the University of Arizona. Michelle is a founding partner of Gem.in.i Information Program Specialists.

The following local health departments are scheduled to link:

1. Canadian County Health Department, 100 S. Rock Island, El Reno; Contact Amy Vanness, (405) 262-0042

2. Garfield County Health Department, 2501 Mercer Dr., Enid; Contact Della Helm, (580) 233-0650

3. Jackson County Health Department, 401 W. Tamarack Rd., Altus; Contact Karen Testerman, (580) 482-7308

4. Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St., Room 806, Oklahoma City; Contact Karla McGuire, (405)271-9444, ext. 56543.

5. Payne County Health Department, 1321 W. 7th Ave., Stillwater; Contact Tami Hicks, (405) 372-8200

6. Pontotoc County Health Department, 2330 Arlington St., Ada; Contact Anita Cariker, (580) 332-2011

7. Texas County Health Department, 1410 North East St., Guymon; Contact Kay Allen, (580) 338-8544

8. Woodward County Health Department, 1631 Texas Avenue Woodward; Contact Jeri Dwinelle, (580) 256-6416

2014

   2014 Health Literacy Summit in Oklahoma

   On May 7th prior to the Health Literacy Summit, national health literacy expert, Dr. Andrew Pleasant, met with health and literacy professionals at the

   Oklahoma Department of Libraries to develop a health literacy plan for Oklahoma. Twenty seven individuals discussed how collaborative efforts among

   health care providers can move Oklahoma from a “sick care system” to a health care system generating significant savings by putting effort into keeping

   Oklahomans healthy.

Participants in this year's meeting of health and literacy professionals included [left to right] Melissa Muncy

Struttmann, Creek County Literacy Program, Sapulpa; Jesse Cradduck, pastor, Maranatha Ministry of Hope;
Dr. Andrew Pleasant, and Marisa New, MPH, Director of Health Equity & Resource Opportunities Division

Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign (OHEC) Health Literacy Partners with Dr. Andrew Pleasant,

May 7, 2014, at the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.  Look and Listen to OETA interview with
Dr. Pleasant, OHEC members, Richard Perry and Mary Surbeck, at: http://youtu.be/FBg_2X5rvRM

David Satcher, MD, PhD, and Marisa New, MPH, Director of Health Equity & Resource Opportunities Division,

Oklahoma State Department of Health at the May 8, 2014, Health Literacy Summit held in Norman, Oklahoma.

Dr. Satcher was the Keynote Speaker for the afternoon session and he has served as the former Surgeon
General and as the former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2nd Oklahoma Health Literacy Summit and 75th Annual Oklahoma Public Health Association Conference

We have a great speaker who will continue to emphasize the importance of health literacy. Until supplies last, we have OHEC Health Literacy Resource Manuals that will be provided to those who RSVP and participate. Please RSVP TODAY!

Press Release:

OHEC Group to Discuss How Health Literacy Can Impact Health Outcomes

How can people use health literacy to improve health in their families and communities? The topic “Utilizing Health Literacy to Improve Health Outcomes” will be discussed at the next meeting of the Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign (OHEC) on Thursday, May 22, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in room 806 at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St., Oklahoma City. The public is invited to attend this presentation at no cost.

Marshan Marick, MPH, instructor and director of the public health undergraduate program at Langston University, will speak about health literacy and how it is the intersection for the social determinants of health.  Social determinants of health are defined as life-enhancing resources such as food supply, housing, economic and social relationships, transportation, education, and health care. The distribution of those resources across populations can determine the length and quality of life and these factors are used by health care professionals in planning programs, services, and policies to help improve public health at the community and state levels.

In addition, students from the University of Central Oklahoma’s Community/Public Health Program, along with Dr. Sunshine Cowan, associate professor and program coordinator, will make a presentation about their community projects that address health equity issues related to social justice.

Videoconference access to this meeting will be available at the following locations:

• Lincoln County Health Department, 101 Meadow Lane, Chandler; contact: Pamela Andrus, 405-258-2640

• Murray County Health Department, 730 Cambridge Dr., Sulphur; contact Cindy Kesler, (580) 622-3716

• Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St., Oklahoma City; contact Karla McGuire, (405) 271-9444, ext. 56543

• Payne County Health Department, 1321 W. 7th, Stillwater; contact Tami Hicks, (405) 372-8200, ext. 273

• Tulsa Health Department/James C. Goodwin Health Center, 5051 S. 129th E. Ave.,  room 231, Tulsa; contact Karla Benford, (918) 582-9355

• Washington County Health Department, 5121 S.E. Jacquelyn Lane, Bartlesville; contact Paula Palmer, (918) 335-3005

If your local health department isn’t listed, please call before Monday, May 20 so we may check on its availability.  To RSVP attendance or for more information regarding OHEC, call (405) 271-9444, ext. 56543 or email: karlab@health.ok.gov.

• June 26 – Oklahoma City, Health Equity Partnership Committee Meeting, OK State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St.

• July 1 – Altus, “Living Longer Living Stronger with Chronic Health Conditions”, Altus Library

421 N. Hudson St.  To register, contact April Collom at 580-335-2163.

• July 31 – Oklahoma City, Health Equity Steering Committee Meeting, OK State Department of Health,

1000 NE 10th St.

• August 28 – Oklahoma City, Health Equity Partnership Committee Meeting, OK State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St.

• September 25th – Oklahoma City, Health Equity Steering Committee Meeting, OK State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St.

• October 23rd – Oklahoma City, Health Equity Partnership Committee Meeting, OK State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St.

• November 20th – Oklahoma City, Health Equity Steering Committee Meeting, OK State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St.

• December 18th – Oklahoma City, Health Equity Partnership Committee Meeting, OK State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th St.

• January 23, 2013, “Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs”, Featured Speaker: Dr. Kate Lorig, at OK State Department of Health and

other county locations via videoconferencing through local health departments.

• September 2012, Norman, First Oklahoma Health Literacy Summit, Featured Speaker, Andrew Pleasant, PhD.