Health Literacy Toolkit

Written By Lisa Fleetwood
↓ Download Articles
campaign

Why It Matters

Health literacy is a challenge that affects almost everyone at some point, making it a vital topic for Faith Community Nurses to address in October as people return to fall routines and schedule medical appointments. How often have you heard someone say, “I left the doctor’s office and realized I didn’t really understand what they said”? Many people sit quietly during appointments, nod politely and then go home confused about medications, test results or next steps.

Health literacy is the ability to find, understand and use health information to make informed decisions. When instructions are unclear or medical language feels overwhelming, people may take medications incorrectly, delay needed care or avoid asking important questions out of embarrassment. This is not a small issue—it affects people of all ages, education levels and backgrounds, and it directly impacts health outcomes.

Faith Community Nurses are trusted members of the faith community who bring specialized health knowledge, including understanding of the healthcare system, common health issues, and medical procedures. People often feel comfortable opening up to an FCN because they are familiar, approachable, and not rushed. This creates a unique opportunity to explain complex information clearly, answer questions, and guide individuals in making informed health decisions in a supportive and compassionate environment.

By intentionally focusing on health literacy this October, FCNs can help individuals feel more prepared for appointments, more confident in managing chronic conditions and more empowered to participate actively in healthcare decisions.

Quick Health Literacy Facts

FCNs can make a real difference in improving health literacy within faith communities. FCNs are uniquely equipped to do the following:

  • Reach out to members to provide guidance in understanding diagnoses, medications and treatment plans.

  • Provide a safe space to discuss healthcare questions, concerns and personal challenges without fear or embarrassment.

  • Encourage connection through small group discussions, workshops or one-on-one support focused on navigating healthcare systems.

  • Offer practical resources such as easy-to-read handouts, trusted website recommendations or assistance preparing questions for provider visits.

  • Include spiritual care through presence, reflection or supportive conversation when health decisions feel overwhelming.

  • Raise awareness about the importance of asking questions, seeking clarity and being active participants in healthcare.

With encouragement, clear communication and compassionate support, FCNs can help build confidence, reduce confusion and strengthen both understanding and well-being this October.

assignment

Ready-to-Use Program Ideas

  • Objective:
    The Faith Community Nurse will improve participants’ health literacy self-efficacy by facilitating skill-building, supporting self-advocacy, and providing practical tools to help participants navigate the healthcare system and make informed health decisions.

    Metric:
    At least (input number) adults will report increased confidence in using practical health literacy skills after participating in the health literacy program.

    Data Collection Tool:

    • Sign-in sheet to track participation

    • Post-program self-efficacy survey

    Key Activities:

    Key Activities

    Instruction:
    Guide participants to organize their questions, medical history, and concerns before visiting a healthcare provider. Encourage them to practice asking questions clearly and confirming understanding.

    How to Lead It:

    • Group discussion: Ask, “What makes appointments confusing?” and list common challenges.

    • Introduce tools:

    • Role-play: Pair participants as “patient” and “provider.” Practice asking questions, summarizing instructions, and using teach-back to confirm understanding.

    Activity 2: Find Reliable Health Information Online

    Instruction:
    Teach participants how to locate trustworthy online health information and evaluate website credibility.

    How to Lead It:

    • Discussion starter: Ask, “Where do you usually look for health information?” List common sources.

    • Demonstrate websites: Show how to navigate MedlinePlus for easy-to-understand health topics.

    • Compare examples: Show a credible site versus an unclear one. Discuss what makes the first trustworthy (domain type, author credentials, date of publication).

    • Hands-on practice: Have participants search for a health topic on MedlinePlus, NNLM, or Indiana Family to Family, then share what they found.

    Resources:

    Activity 3: Practice Clear Communication

    Instruction:
    Strengthen participants’ ability to understand and explain health information clearly to others.

    How to Lead It:

    • Mini-lesson: Teach strategies like summarizing instructions, asking for clarification, and using plain language.

    • Pair activity: Give a short health instruction (e.g., how to take a medication) and have one participant explain it in plain language to their partner.

    • Group reflection: Ask, “What made it easy or hard to explain?” Highlight techniques that improve comprehension.

    Resources:

    Resources for measuring or supporting health literacy self-efficacy:

play_circle

Ready-to-Share Videos

center_focus_strong

Focus on Spiritual Integration

Learning about health information and making informed decisions can feel overwhelming or even stressful for congregants. As a Faith Community Nurse, providing spiritual care in this context means creating a calm, supportive environment where individuals feel safe to ask questions, express confusion, or share worries. By listening attentively, offering reassurance, and validating feelings, you honor both their emotional and spiritual well-being. Encouraging congregants to reflect on how their faith, values, or personal beliefs guide their health choices can help them feel grounded and empowered, even when information feels complex.

Practical ways to integrate spiritual support include beginning conversations with open-ended questions such as, “What helps you feel confident when making health decisions?” or “How does your faith guide the choices you make about your care?” You can suggest small, comforting practices such as prayer, meditation, or talking with a trusted spiritual mentor while navigating medical information. Reflective listening—repeating or summarizing what they share—helps them feel understood and respected. Keeping a list of trusted resources, both online and within the congregation, allows you to offer guidance gently, supporting both health understanding and spiritual growth. By combining clear communication with compassionate presence, Faith Community Nurses help congregants approach health literacy in a way that strengthens their confidence, faith, and overall well-being.

Tip: Invite congregants to share one question or concern about their health during your visit, and gently explore it together, combining practical guidance with spiritual encouragement.

Join our Network to Stay Updated!

Want to stay updated on our latest health promotion resources?

Join ICPN Network

The resources provided on this website are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. The Indiana Center for Parish Nursing (ICPN) does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of information from external websites linked here.

Lisa Fleetwood
Next

Alzheimer’s Awareness Toolkit