The US healthcare industry is notoriously complex. Pair that with rising costs and you’re left with little margin for error. When maximizing health outcomes and minimizing your costs, health-related decisions need to be precise, strategized, and optimized.
But here’s the catch … to be successful, both you and your employees need to have a high degree of health literacy. What does that even mean?
In this article, we’ll cover:
Health literacy refers to the ability of individuals to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make informed healthcare decisions.
Health literacy encompasses:
Increased health literacy can be accomplished in one of two ways. First, you could provide more education to your employees (the idea of more information is probably triggering, but please keep reading on). Or second, you could give your employees access to tools that perform the majority of healthcare information processing needed to understand, interpret, and effectively navigate the healthcare system.
In this blog post, we will look at the challenges inherent in low health literacy in the workplace, including how your employees in underrepresented groups are disproportionately impacted and how this impacts both your bottom line and theirs. Then, we’ll explore the reasons why fixing health illiteracy now is imperative while sharing solutions on how to do that, including Healthee’s all-in-one digital navigation platform, which gives employees the specific information they need, when they need it, and in terms they can understand.
In 2022, the US spent more on healthcare per capita than any other country in the world, to the tune of approximately $12,555 per person. In comparison, Switzerland was the second highest spender at about $8,049 per capita, while the average for other wealthy OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, excluding the US, was $6,414 per person.
Employees with higher health literacy levels make more informed decisions regarding healthcare benefits, optimizing the use of health plans and minimizing unnecessary expenses. Conversely, employees with low health literacy might struggle to understand health-related information or how to access services and may make uninformed choices about their health simply due to being overwhelmed.
This can lead to higher healthcare costs for the company, from increased doctor visits, hospitalizations, and ineffective use of health benefits. It can also lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for employees who delay treatment or need multiple treatments due to ineffective health management.
Poor employee health literacy can lead to misunderstandings regarding their own or a family member’s medical conditions or treatments, resulting in more sick days or reduced productivity at work. Compounded with that, employees might not manage chronic conditions effectively or adhere to medication regimens because of their confusion, leading to additional absences to seek more support from their medical team.
A study from 2022 highlighted that patients with insufficient health literacy were more prone to revisiting the emergency department compared to those with adequate health literacy.
When an organization does not prioritize its employees’ well-being or provide them with the tools and resources to adeptly manage their health, it erodes company culture. If an organization highlights its employees as a core part of its value statement, it’s imperative they reinforce that by actually building a culture of care. A workforce that values health literacy is likely to support each other in adopting healthier habits, creating a workplace environment that promotes overall well-being, which benefits everyone.
A study at MUSC concluded a positive correlation between health literacy and patient experience ratings. Health literacy affects an employee’s ability to understand and engage with health-related communications and benefits information. A health-literate workforce is more likely to appreciate and actively participate in corporate health programs. This increased engagement impacts the ROI on the most expensive health-related programs your organization has invested in.
Several factors contribute to an individual’s health literacy level. These include:
Employees with no health-related background face a double challenge (that’s basically your entire workforce unless you work for a healthcare system). They do not have the foundations from which to build an understanding, nor can we expect them to (in all honesty, even living and breathing this industry every day, I am sometimes stumped).
Limited exposure to health education can result in a lack of knowledge about basic health concepts, preventive measures, and insurance benefits management, which leads to poor decision-making. These employees need the most help to ensure they don’t fall through the proverbial healthcare cracks.
The complexity of the healthcare system itself can be overwhelming.
The healthcare system often uses complex medical terminology that can be challenging for individuals with low health literacy to understand.
Not to mention, health insurance policies can be complicated even for the health-literate. There are various terms, conditions, and coverage details that people need to consider before getting the service they need.
And let’s not forget about the volume of forms and paperwork that have to be reviewed and completed. These may include consent forms, medical history intake forms, and insurance paperwork. So, just getting started can be daunting, especially for those employees where English is a second language.
Simply put, navigating the US healthcare system successfully requires high levels of health literacy, a support system, or the right tools (like Healthee!).
Individuals with lower levels of education, lower reading and comprehension skills, English learners, those in poverty or living below their means, and others in minority populations may struggle to understand health information such as prescription labels, medical instructions, and health education resources when they have been designed by and for a specific, non-diverse population.
These same people are also likely to struggle to communicate their needs effectively to healthcare providers. When patients and healthcare providers don’t speak the same language, it can be difficult to communicate effectively, which could lead to misunderstandings, misdiagnoses, and even serious health complications.
For healthcare professionals, it can be just as challenging to explain medical terms and treatment options to patients who don’t speak the same language.
This decreases the patient’s chances for efficient care, positive outcomes, and low-cost support and services.
Older employees may face challenges in health literacy due to factors such as:
Simply put, getting older and trying to navigate a very digital health experience can make it harder to understand health information. Though we see the merits of moving to the digital experience, in general, some employees may find it difficult to use health-related apps, access electronic health records, or navigate online health resources. It’s important to consider this when choosing a digital health tool and ensure there are always options for those less technically inclined.
It’s important to note that the online or digital tools that you recommend to your employees should also take into consideration those with disabilities. Most companies have either reviewed or understand the needs of those differently abled and how they will interact with their application, but it’s important that you, as the buyer, are also aware of the distinct differences in access.
People may feel judged or embarrassed if they have a health condition that others don’t understand or may look down upon.
Either way, when people feel judged or scared, they may avoid seeking help or learning about their health. This can happen when certain health conditions are stigmatized or misunderstood.
Avoiding information and healthcare can lead to worse health outcomes and make it harder to increase health literacy.
For Healthee, their obsession is literally to level the healthcare playing field. Here are some of the most effective ways they’ve found companies, such as their own, do just that.
Ensuring health information reaches everyone in the workforce isn’t just important — it can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Here are a few quick tips on how you can achieve this:
And, employees need to know where they can go for up-to-date information. Consider adding a link to your wiki or resource tool in your email signature and making it a key link on any newsletters or other announcements that go out to your population. Physically printed QR codes for those who do not have easy access to a computer, like manufacturing or hospitality workers, can be helpful!
Making info available is one thing, but making it understandable for everyone is another challenge. To expand on the second bullet from above, here are a few ways to make health info easier to grasp:
With these tips, we’re not just making health information more reachable; we’re empowering everyone to build health literacy and make informed choices. Healthee’s clients have chosen to solve these issues (and more) by providing each employee with their own personalized account that can be accessed via an app on their smartphone, and that is powered by an AI-driven chatbot — with human support available, when necessary. This all-encompassing support has proved to make a huge difference in an employee’s ability to gain the health literacy they need to make informed choices.
Additionally to the above recommendations, adding health education programs signifies your company’s commitment to employee well-being, fostering engagement and empowerment. They drive action, encouraging healthier choices both at work and in your employees’ personal lives.
You can offer workshops, lunch-and-learns, and training sessions to educate employees about:
And more than individual benefits, health education programs raise awareness about common healthcare misconceptions and can address the stigmas associated with certain medical conditions.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are employer-provided services offering confidential support to employees dealing with personal or work-related challenges.
One key role of EAPs in boosting health literacy is their focus on mental and emotional well-being. By providing confidential spaces for employees to seek help without fear, EAPs help reduce the fear of judgment for people with certain medical conditions.
This proactive approach not only improves mental health awareness but also fosters a culture where emotional well-being is valued and openly discussed.
Feedback is the bridge that connects employees’ needs, concerns, and suggestions to the ongoing improvement of health initiatives within the organization.
It’s important to establish feedback mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of health literacy initiatives and gather input from employees. One way to do this is to schedule regular forums or focus groups where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts on health-related topics. You can also create anonymous channels for people to give feedback on the company’s health initiatives and cultural inclusivity. Sometimes, tapping into established Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) is a great way to do this.
Then use this information to make improvements and tailor content to better meet the needs of your workforce.
Digital apps offer a round-the-clock, on-the-go resource that can be accessed directly from one’s smartphone. These apps are breaking the barriers of space and time, ensuring that anyone, anywhere, at any time can access health-related information. No more waiting for office hours or scheduling appointments.
Convenience amplifies this accessibility. Whether during a lunch break or in bed late at night, these apps provide instant access to a treasure trove of health knowledge. Users can seek information and guidance whenever the need arises. Middle of the night coughing fit? Children spiked a fever? No problem. Log in and start getting the support you need.
This fosters a culture of informed decision-making and proactive healthcare management.
The best healthcare apps provide personalized health information. Everyone has their own unique health needs, preferences, goals, and insurance plans. So it’s critical to provide information and suggestions that are customized to cater to those needs.
At the heart of these apps are intelligent algorithms and continued user input. They analyze data provided by users, considering factors like age, gender, health history, and even personal interests. This analysis enables the app to curate content that’s specifically relevant to each user, making the information more meaningful and engaging.
Digital apps can also bring healthcare professionals to your fingertips, quite literally. They offer virtual telehealth sessions, allowing users to connect with doctors, specialists, or therapists from the comfort of their homes or offices.
Whether it’s a follow-up consultation, routine check-in, or guidance on health concerns, these apps enable timely and convenient access to healthcare professionals. In essence, they offer a lifeline to expertise to ensure that quality healthcare is just a click away.
Encouraging community and social support
Health journeys are often easier when you have a support system by your side. So, these digital solutions foster communities where users can connect, share experiences, and find encouragement on their health paths.
This sense of community fosters a collaborative learning environment, helping to increase an individual’s health literacy.
Making the most out of your health and cutting down on healthcare costs starts with good health literacy. The key to increasing health literacy in the workforce is to provide relevant, updated, and accurate information and encourage engagement through the various strategies I have shared. One of the best ways to achieve that is by leveraging digital apps.
Curious to learn more about how Healthee’s software can help you increase the overall health literacy of your organization? Book a call here.
The health benefits industry is evolving faster than ever before, but one constant remains: third-party administrators (TPAs) still shape the relationship between many employed Americans and their health benefits.
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The project management involved in open enrollment involves a lot of hats. HR needs a diverse range of skills to succeed, making it impossible to do alone.
