Improving Health Literacy Today….not Tomorrow” Its in our Aboriginal peoples hands Julie Wright – AHP – Colleen Mack – AHPO CAHS PHC Outreach Unit Health Literacy is Important because there is consistent evidence that indicates associations between individual health literacy, health behaviours and health outcomes. Low levels of health knowledge and health Literacy in Aboriginal population and complex health systems has a significant impact on their health. And can be associated with increased rates of hospitalisation and greater use of emergency care. Poorer ability to medications, poorer ability to read and interpret health messages. And poorer knowledge among Aboriginal consumers about their own disease or condition.

Engaging with our Aboriginal Health Workforce Important Priorities Engage Healtri Must Prioritise Engaging with our Aboriginal Health Workforce Health Literacy today it is important we must engage our Aboriginal Health Workforce. Engage our Aboriginal Health Workforce on Individual Health Literacy, training them on individual skills and health care, behaviours and activities. Such as reading about what foods are required for healthy eating. Different types of strategies are needed to support individual health literacy, and depending on the way the person understands and uses the information. Health Literacy to raise awareness of health issues might need to be different for Aboriginal Men and Women. Different communication requirements might be needed for those from strong cultural backgrounds and where English is a second or third language.

WHY? FACTS/realities ? Aboriginal language speakers average 70% of all health service users in NT. Aboriginal health professionals less than 1% of health workforce. High rates of staff turnover Inability to communicate effectively puts lives and practice at risk. Health Literacy is important and language skills is important to deliver health information to the individual consumer or consumer groups. Working with our Aboriginal Health Workforce encourages trust working in remote NT communities. Aboriginal Health Workforce can communicate effective health information to guide decisions for the individual and community. Cultural Competence requires cultural self-awareness, knowledge of, and a positive attitude towards cultural practices, differences and cross cultural communication skills.

Must work towards Good communication & Strong Working Relationships Title sertion Must work towards Good communication & Strong Working Relationships Sub Heading Presenter Name Departmental Agency Insert date Communication is the key to using culturally appropriate health literacy and culturally appropriate resources, are essential to Improve Better Health for the consumer. And Cultural Competence to interact with people across different cultures. Working together with our Aboriginal Health Workforce allows us to be culturally competent for self awareness, knowledge, positive attitude towards, cultural practices and differences and cross cultural communication skills.

Someone will help if you keep asking Who are we? Aboriginal Community Workers Aboriginal Health Practitioners SWSBSC Strong Women Workers Aboriginal Male Health Community Workers Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer Also include key Community Members, and community based lifestyle and stakeholder programs Aboriginal workforce in clinic, schools, women's centres, council, shop, police, child care, SWSBSC workers etc. Also Interpreter service Someone will help if you keep asking

Create safe supportive working environments & Cultural Induction HELP us help our people Essential to teach provide training to our Aboriginal Health Workforce and community Create safe supportive working environments & Cultural Induction Building relationships with the people /consumers and their families Develop resources and training to use essential tools when working with the people /consumer and their families

Create safe supportive working environments Provide cultural Induction Strengthen relationships with the consumer and their family Empower our Aboriginal Health Workforce with the skills and Knowledge to interpret Health information to the consumer Because Language skills is always important to the consumer

Definitions ‘Health literacy is about communicating health information clearly and understanding it correctly’ (Osborne, 2014, p1) the ability to find, understand, and act on health information. an interaction between patients and the health care system verbal, print, and seek web-based information Support Aboriginal Health Workforce, to define health definitions for Action. Health education, health promotion and prevention and health communication. Define Health Action plans identified for implementation. Local Action plan could be develop local resources in their own Language for the prevention of skin infections. K.A Taylor Health Literacy Presentation NTML Darwin

Better Communication pillars PEOPLE ACTION OUTCOME/ RESULT Multi-disciplinary approach and Education and training is the key to Caring for the consumer Consumer Improving Quality Care through our workforce and Language literacy skills Engaging with Health Service Centres People need to understand what your saying if Lifestyle Behaviours are to be modified Poor Physical Activity Poor Nutrition Smoking Alcohol Social Emotional & Well Being Working together Provide clinical expertise Aboriginal people lead and support remote PHC Support people and communities self manage: preventable chronic conditions. Diabetes, Heart& Kidney Disease, Mental health Also Environmental Health living condition issues l Relationship Building For the Consumer Health teams Family Community Help Support Networks Communication and Referrals Meetings Discussions Workshops Training Through the Aboriginal Health Workforce, everyone can coordinate health literacy involvement, and Commitment for Cultural Safety, Improved Patient Outcomes, Primary health Care support and expertise, working together on appropriate plans for consumer focus and involvement. Better Communication pillars

Questions are good however when encouraging questions remember the following: ‘The nurse asks. Do you have any questions? The patient shakes his head, indicating no. While the nurse might assume this response means she did a good job communicating. the patient may out of politeness be shaking their head to end consult as a way of not saying how confused he really is (Osborne, 2014) Aboriginal workers can help get your message across and assess level of understanding Always provide easy to understand language and any health information and high level of education materials that are appropriate for consumers with low health literacy.

Any Questions?

References Osborne, H 2014 Health Literacy A to Z Taylor, K 2010 intercultural health care communications