Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Regional Enhancements Addressing Disconnects (READS) in Cardiovascular Health Communication

The objective of SEPA- READS is to enhance the capacity of health care systems and professionals to address health literacy needs of adults' (aged 50+) in order to improve cardiovascular health outcomes by 1) identifying, implementing and evaluating educational/systems changes designed to improve written materials, navigation and provider communication skills, and 2) enhancing the ability of older adults to communicate effectively with healthcare providers. This is accomplished by: (1) creating a broad-based Cardiovascular Health Literacy Coalition that identifies, implements and evaluates educational/systems changes necessary to enhance the cardiovascular health literacy needs of adults aged 50+; (2) improving the ability of adults to communicate effectively with healthcare providers/staff at multiple points of care. The CHLC consists of a Coalition Steering Committee that meets monthly, provides overall guidance to the project and is composed of project leadership and representatives from two Advisory Working Groups. These Working Groups meet at least quarterly and will include: 1) a Professional Advisory Group (PAG) with representation from at least 10 hospitals and/or health systems, local literacy initiatives (such as the PhillyHealthInfo, Health Federation and the YMCA Adult Literacy program), the Federation of Neighborhood Centers, and cultural groups dealing with non-English speakers such as the Nationalities Service Center and Southeast Asian Mutual Assistant Association's Coalition, and 2) a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to provide guidance during planning, implementation and evaluation phases of proposed educational and system changes to ensure cultural and health literacy relevance for older adults. This Group, with its “community voice” consists of consumers from multiple Senior Centers, and other organizations. The CHLC utilizes a multi-pronged pronged approach that includes: 1) assessing the quality and content of communication across multiple points of care; 2) integrating literacy improvement techniques and strategies, such as Teach Back, use of Plain Language, Creating a Shame Free Environment, into staff development programs utilizing the AMA Foundation's Train-the-Trainer program and the Health Literacy – Help Your Patient's Understand Guide; and 3) activating patients through training on Ask Me 3. Ultimately the impact of SEPA-READS includes: 1) Institutionalization of effective communication materials and strategies into the culture of patient quality and safety protocols; 2) Creation of a centralized repository for culturally and linguistically forms and educational materials; 3) Improved cardiovascular health outcomes in adults aged 50+; 4) Reduced CVD related readmissions; 5) Reduced CVD medical errors; and 6) Improved CVD patient self-care behaviors.