October’s Health Literacy Month is drawing attention to an often-overlooked part of health care: whether patients can actually find, understand and use the information they need to make decisions about their health. For communities that face language barriers, unequal access to care or other obstacles within the health system, the ability to understand medical information can become an important part of whether care is accessible in the first place.

Health Literacy Month is observed throughout October and is intended to raise awareness about the importance of making health information easier to understand and health systems easier to navigate. The Institute for Healthcare Advancement, which supports Health Literacy Month, has promoted the observance since its creation in 1999. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also identifies health literacy as a priority through its Healthy People 2030 initiative. Healthy People 2030 defines personal health literacy as the ability to find, understand and use health information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions. It also recognizes organizational health literacy, which focuses on whether health care organizations make it possible for people to find, understand and use those resources. The distinction reflects a broader understanding of health literacy: responsibility does not rest entirely with the individual patient. Health systems also shape how difficult or accessible health information is. That distinction matters because modern health care can require patients to interpret medical terminology, compare treatment options, understand prescription instructions, access electronic health records, complete forms and navigate referrals and insurance systems. Even when information is technically available, it may not be presented in a way that patients can easily understand or act on.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s 2024 Trends in the Quality of U.S. Healthcare Services report found that person-centered care and communication are closely connected to patient satisfaction, trust and well-being. The report also identified disparities in measures involving whether providers explained information in a way patients could understand and whether patients felt their providers respected what they had to say.

For communities of color, the issue can intersect with broader disparities in access, quality and health outcomes. AHRQ notes that racial and ethnic minority populations experience disparities across areas including access to care, treatment effectiveness, timeliness, patient safety and preventive services. The agency identifies factors such as provider-patient communication, health literacy, bias and systemic racism among issues that can contribute to those disparities. Language is another important part of the equation. People who have limited English proficiency may face additional challenges when discussing symptoms, understanding diagnoses or following instructions after a medical visit. Healthy People 2030 notes that people who do not speak English at home and immigrants are among groups more likely to have limited English language skills, while research has associated language and literacy barriers with poorer health outcomes.

The consequences can extend beyond confusion during an appointment. AHRQ has reported that communication problems among patients with limited English proficiency can affect patient safety, including understanding medication instructions, preparing for procedures, following discharge instructions and knowing when to seek additional care. AHRQ also cites evidence that professional interpreters can improve communication and other elements of quality care.

Clear communication cannot stop at the doctor’s office

Health literacy also depends on whether health information reflects the language, culture and circumstances of the people receiving it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that cultural differences can contribute to miscommunication and that medical terminology used by health professionals may not be familiar to the public. The agency recommends that health communicators consider the cultural and linguistic context in which people receive and use health information.

This can be particularly important for Hispanic and Latino communities. The CDC has identified health literacy and language assistance as part of efforts to address cancer disparities in Hispanic and Latino populations. The agency reports that two-thirds of Hispanic people in the United States have limited health literacy and points to culturally relevant health messages, community health workers, trained interpreters and bilingual providers as approaches that can help people access preventive services. Federal guidance also places responsibility on health care organizations to make communication understandable and responsive to patients’ needs. The HHS Office of Minority Health’s National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services call for health organizations to provide “effective, understandable, and respectful quality care” that responds to patients’ cultural, language and communication needs. The standards also recommend language assistance for people with limited English proficiency and easy-to-understand materials in commonly used languages.

For patients, improving health literacy can mean having the confidence and opportunity to ask questions, request clarification and participate in decisions about their care. For providers and health organizations, it means examining whether information is understandable before assuming that a patient who does not follow an instruction simply failed to understand it. That shift is central to the health equity conversation. Health literacy is not simply about whether someone can read a medical pamphlet or understand a diagnosis. It is also about whether the health care system communicates clearly, provides appropriate language assistance, respects patients’ questions and makes the next step understandable.

As Health Literacy Month continues through October, the focus on clearer communication offers a broader reminder: access to health information is only meaningful when people can understand and use it. For patients and families navigating an increasingly complex health care system, making that information accessible is not an extra service. It is part of making health care work.