Correct Answer: the institute of medicine (iom) and the agency for health care research and quality (ahrq) have launched efforts to quantify and offer solutions to the problems that result from inadequate health literacy.
health literacy is an essential component in ensuring effective healthcare and outcomes. it involves the ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health. thus, it affects decisions on day-to-day health care, disease prevention, and health promotion.
contrary to the statement that "health literacy is now recognized as a small contributor to health outcomes," it is, in fact, considered one of the major contributors to health outcomes. a higher level of health literacy enables individuals to make better health decisions, understand medical instructions, navigate the healthcare system effectively, and manage chronic diseases efficiently. this can lead to improved healthcare outcomes, reduced hospital visits, and overall lower healthcare costs.
recognizing the critical role of health literacy, prominent organizations like the institute of medicine (iom) and the agency for health care research and quality (ahrq) have been proactive in addressing issues related to inadequate health literacy. these organizations have initiated various programs and research projects aimed at understanding the impact of health literacy on healthcare outcomes and developing strategies to enhance it across populations.
the iom and ahrq have focused on quantifying the extent of health literacy issues and offering practical solutions to improve it. their efforts include creating guidelines for healthcare providers to better communicate with patients, developing educational materials that are easily understandable, and advocating for policy changes that incorporate health literacy improvements into health care planning and evaluation.
therefore, the correct answer is that "the institute of medicine (iom) and the agency for health care research and quality (ahrq) have launched efforts to quantify and offer solutions to the problems that result from inadequate health literacy." these initiatives are crucial as they help in bridging the gap between healthcare services and patient understanding, which is fundamental in achieving better health outcomes.
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