Health Literacy Month: Empowering Native American Communities Through Knowledge and Understanding
October is Health Literacy Month — a time dedicated to promoting the ability of individuals to find, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions. For Native American communities, improving health literacy is not just about reading medical terms; it’s about honoring traditional wisdom, bridging cultural gaps, and empowering individuals to take control of their health.
What is Health Literacy?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines health literacy as the degree to which individuals can find, understand, and use information and services to make informed health-related choices.
It includes:
Understanding medication instructions.
Knowing how to navigate the healthcare system.
Reading nutrition labels or medical test results.
Communicating effectively with healthcare professionals.
Low health literacy can lead to missed appointments, medication errors, and poor management of chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension — both of which disproportionately affect Native Americans.
The Reality of Health Literacy Among Native Americans
According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, only about 12% of U.S. adults have proficient health literacy. For many Native American and Alaska Native populations, this rate is even lower due to systemic barriers like:
Limited access to culturally appropriate healthcare materials.
Language barriers in English-dominant health systems.
Historical mistrust of institutions.
Lower educational attainment in certain tribal regions.
For example, the Indian Health Service (IHS) reports that communication barriers often prevent patients from fully understanding diagnoses or treatment plans, leading to lower adherence to prescribed regimens.
A Cultural Lens on Health Literacy
For Native American communities, health literacy goes beyond reading ability. It involves integrating cultural values, oral traditions, and community trust into health communication.
Traditional healers and elders have long been the source of health knowledge, passing down wisdom through storytelling and ceremony. By blending modern medical guidance with this traditional foundation, communities can strengthen understanding without losing identity.
For instance:
Instead of only distributing pamphlets, a tribal health center might host Talking Circles where providers explain diabetes management in conversational, culturally grounded ways.
Visual aids using familiar symbols, such as feathers, rivers, or circles, can make complex information relatable and memorable.
Consequences of Low Health Literacy
Low health literacy affects every stage of healthcare:
Prevention: Fewer screenings and immunizations.
Treatment: Difficulty following medication instructions or understanding side effects.
Chronic disease management: Misinterpretation of diet, exercise, and monitoring guidelines.
Navigation: Confusion about referrals, insurance, or transportation options.
A CDC study found that people with limited health literacy have 40% higher rates of hospitalization and more emergency room visits compared to those with strong health literacy.
For Native Americans, who already face healthcare access challenges, this gap can worsen disparities in diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Strategies to Improve Health Literacy in Native Communities
Use Plain Language
Replace medical jargon with clear, simple words.
Example: Instead of “hypertension,” say “high blood pressure.”Visual Communication
Use diagrams, storytelling, and culturally relevant symbols to explain concepts like blood sugar or medication safety.Community Health Workers (CHWs)
Train Native CHWs who can educate in community settings, bridging language and cultural barriers.Digital Health Tools
Mobile health apps and telehealth can make health information accessible — if they’re user-friendly and culturally tailored.Cultural Competency Training for Providers
Health professionals should learn tribal customs, historical trauma, and communication styles to foster mutual trust.School and Youth Programs
Integrate health education early, combining traditional teachings about wellness with modern science.
Health Literacy and Chronic Disease Prevention
Better health literacy directly improves management of chronic illnesses:
Diabetes: Understanding blood glucose readings and food choices.
Heart disease: Knowing how to measure blood pressure and read nutrition labels.
Cancer prevention: Recognizing symptoms, scheduling screenings, and following through on care plans.
Empowered individuals can take preventive actions — getting screenings, staying active, and seeking help early.
Story of Impact: “Maria’s Choice”
Maria, a Native woman in her 50s, had been living with diabetes but didn’t understand why her blood sugar levels were unstable. After attending a Health Literacy Circle hosted by her tribal clinic, she learned how to read food labels and check glucose levels correctly. Within months, her readings improved dramatically — and she began teaching her nieces how to eat healthier.
Maria’s story shows how knowledge transforms lives.
The Role of the New York Indian Council
The New York Indian Council (NYIC) plays a vital role in advancing health literacy among Native Americans living in urban settings.
Their contributions include:
Hosting educational workshops on topics like chronic disease prevention, nutrition, and mental wellness.
Providing navigation support to help clients understand insurance, benefits, and health appointments.
Partnering with local clinics and hospitals to ensure Native clients receive culturally respectful care.
Offering case management and referrals to connect individuals to IHS Urban Indian Health programs and other community resources.
By combining cultural understanding with modern education, NYIC helps Native New Yorkers build confidence in their health decisions.
A Call to Action
Health literacy is more than reading — it’s empowerment, self-respect, and sovereignty over one’s health.
Every Native community deserves access to clear, culturally rooted health information that honors their traditions and supports modern wellness.
This Health Literacy Month, let us commit to:
Listening more, explaining clearly, and teaching patiently.
Building bridges between traditional healing and modern care.
Making sure every Native person — from elders to youth — can navigate their path to good health with confidence and dignity.
References & Resources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: health.gov/healthliteracy
CDC Health Literacy Resources
Indian Health Service (IHS) Urban Indian Health Program Reports
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) — Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit
