A Celebration of Health Literacy Month at State University of Ceara, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe the activities performed during the health literacy month commemoration at the State University of Ceara, Brazil, during its University Week Events 2015–2017, and to reflect about successes, failures and perspectives from these events. The events focused on five major points: defining health literacy; describing assessments and measurements of health literacy; the importance of health literacy on professional practice; when the principles of health literacy should be practiced; and the significance of October as Health Literacy month. The Teach-Back method of communication was introduced, which not only serves as the initial step in starting the discussion on the importance of health literacy for patient empowerment during patient-clinician encounters, but also to assist institutions in developing pathways towards becoming health literate organizations.

KEYWORDS:

• Health literate organization
• health literacy
• health literacy month
• university
• university week

About the Authors

Helena Alves de Carvalho Sampaio, PhD ([email protected]) is Emeritus Professor, State University of Ceará, Av. Dr. Silas Munguba, 1700, Campus do Itaperi, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, 60714-903.

Patrícia Paula de Carvalho Sampaio Lima ([email protected]) is an orthodontist, Technical Support, State University of Ceará, Av. Dr. Silas Munguba, 1700, Campus Itaperi, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, 60714-903.

Soraia Pinheiro Machado Arruda, PhD ([email protected]) is an Associate Professor, State University of Ceará, Av. Dr. Silas Munguba, 1700, Campus Itaperi, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, 60714-903.

Clarice Maria Araújo Chagas Vergara, PhD ([email protected]) Associate Professor, State University of Ceará, Av. Dr. Silas Munguba, 1700, Campus Itaperi, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, 60714-903.