[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25817-25818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11571]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Solicitation for Written Comments on an Updated Health Literacy 
Definition for Healthy People 2030

AGENCY: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, Department 
of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides 
notice of a request for comments about the proposed update to the 
definition of health literacy. The Secretary's Advisory Committee on 
National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for Healthy 
People 2030 used the following working definition: ``Health literacy 
occurs when a society provides accurate health information and services 
that people can easily find, understand, and use to inform their 
decisions and actions.''

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by August 5, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Written comments will be accepted via email at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Santana, Public Health 
Analyst, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Disease Prevention and Health 
Promotion, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. 240-453-8265 
Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Healthy People and health literacy. Healthy 
People provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for 
improving the health of all Americans. Health literacy objectives have 
been tracked in Healthy People 2010 and 2020 and will also be included 
in Healthy People 2030.
    Health literacy is one of the Healthy People 2030 framework's 
foundational principles (``Achieving health and well-being requires 
eliminating health disparities, achieving health equity, and attaining 
health literacy'') and one of its overarching goals (``Eliminate health 
disparities, achieve health equity, and attain health literacy to 
improve the health and well-being of all'').
    Current Healthy People health literacy definition. The following 
definition of health literacy has been used in Healthy People 2010 and 
Healthy People 2020: ``Health literacy is the degree to which 
individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic 
health information needed to make appropriate health decisions.''
    This definition of health literacy has had a tremendous impact on 
the field, influencing health literacy measurement and improvement 
efforts around the world.
    The Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and 
Disease Prevention Objectives used this working definition of health 
literacy for 2030: ``Health literacy occurs when a society provides 
accurate health information and services that people can easily find, 
understand, and use to inform their decisions and actions.''
    This working definition reflects the evolution of the concept of 
health literacy toward a consensus that health literacy is affected not 
only by an individual's capacities, but also by the accessibility, 
clarity, and actionability of health information and health services.
    Submission Instructions. Comments should:
    1. Address the strengths and/or weaknesses of the recommended 
definition,
    2. Be brief and concise; Limit 250 words
    3. Make specific editing suggestions, and
    4. Cite articles that support suggested changes (if any).

Reference Material

Healthy People 2030 Framework. Available at https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/About-Healthy-People/Development-Healthy-People-2030/Framework.
Pleasant, A., R.E. Rudd, C. O'Leary, M.K. Paasche-Orlow, M.P. Allen, 
W. Alvarado-Little, L. Myers, K. Parson, and

[[Page 25818]]

S. Rosen. 2016. Considerations for a New Definition of Health 
Literacy. NAM Perspectives. Discussion Paper, National Academy of 
Medicine, Washington, DC. doi: 10.31478/201604a. https://doi.org/10.31478/201604a.
Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and 
Disease Prevention Objectives for 2030. Issue Briefs to Inform 
Development and Implementation of Healthy People 2030. Retrieved 
from: https://www.healthypeople.gov/sites/default/files/HP2030_Committee-Combined-Issue%20Briefs_2019-508c.pdf.

    Dated: May 22, 2019.
Donald Wright,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health.
[FR Doc. 2019-11571 Filed 6-3-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4150-32-P