5 key strategies health plans use to advance health equity
May 8, 2023
Health education is designed to promote health equity. As a payer, you recognize that each member has a unique economic, educational, social, and environmental context that impacts their health outcomes. These social determinants of health (SDOH) have a significant impact on health equity.1
Health education is an extremely effective tool. It advances health equity and outcomes, reduces health disparities, and empowers their members. We’ve identified five best practices that we use in our health education content to ensure clear communications that promote health literacy:
Educational components should offer actionable content, giving specific instructions on what the reader should do. Break up text into chunks and present information in bulleted lists for easy reference. Strive for a reading level of 6th to 7th grade. If possible, provide access to educational resources at even lower levels (6-5th grade) to establish literacy for all your members.
Don’t forget accessibility. Be sure health content is available to people with disabilities. Use clear and simple language, provide alternative formats such as audio, alt text, or closed captioning, and ensure that your website and content are compatible with assistive technologies.
Member education is a powerful tool to enhance health plan engagement and advance health equity.6 WebMD Ignite supports payers and the diverse populations they serve through member acquisition and education, from Discovery to Recovery.
Learn more about our education solutions for health plans
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/about.html
https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/health-literacy-healthy-people-2030
https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/patient-education/index.html
https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/design/
https://blog.amwa.org/equity-inclusion-tips
https://www.apha.org/-/media/files/pdf/factsheets/advancing_health_equity.ashx?la=en&hash=9144021FDA33B4E7E02447CB28CA3F9D4BE5EF18