Findings From Performing an Organizational Health Literacy Assessment in Community-Based Health Organizations.

Abstract

Background: Organizations have a responsibility to reduce cognitive demands and strengthen health literacy support for patients and clients to improve understanding, access, and use of services. Most studies of organizational health literacy (OHL) are focused on traditional clinical settings and do not provide clear direction on how to make change. It is recognized that many people seek their everyday health information from trusted community-based organizations. The aim of this pilot study was to guide community-based health organizations performing an environmental health literacy assessment and operationalize the results to create actions plans for health literacy change.

Brief description of activity: A novel health literacy Pledge Program facilitated community-based health organizations in performing a self-assessment of their internal and external environments to identify OHL supporting factors and barriers. Findings informed this offering of best practice for the assessment process.

Implementation: Small teams from the 10 participating organizations, which included traditional health care settings like clinics and non-traditional settings like community centers and housing providers, performed the Health Literacy Environment of Hospitals and Health Centers (HLE2) self-assessment. Structured discussion groups were held with the teams to review the HLE2 results and create an action plan for OHL change. Thematic analysis of the findings revealed trends to inform actions to be considered in ongoing OHL research.

Results: All organizations were able to successfully complete the HLE2. Score ranges overall were low, indicating opportunities for improving OHL. There was overlap with the themes of the short-term and long-term actions. All themes aligned with OHL domains in which interventions can make services more understandable and accessible.

Lessons learned: This is the first known OHL study that includes non-clinical community based-health organizations. Findings demonstrate that OHL assessment and corresponding development of plans for actionable change is needed and accepted by community-based organizations. Further research into OHL best practices should continue to explore these trusted settings as a resource where people receive health information and services. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2025;9(1):e37-e45.].