Strengthening health literacy in our communities
Health literacy is the ability to find, understand and use health information. It plays a key role in preventing disease, managing chronic conditions and making informed decisions. It is closely linked to the social determinants of health, including education, digital access, transportation and trust in health systems.
Make It Plain: healthcare document literacy translation
At the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute, Make It Plain is a structured healthcare document literacy translation process that helps convert complex clinical and administrative documents into clearer, more patient-friendly language. The process includes steps such as clarifying the purpose and audience of a document, assessing its reading level, applying plain language editing principles and gathering feedback.
By using Make It Plain, MEWI supports UMMC teams in creating forms, letters and educational materials that patients can more easily read and use in their daily lives.
Tips for navigating health misinformation
Use trusted sources such as CDC, NIH and state health departments
Check publication dates to be sure information is current
Look for evidence-based citations and clear references
Be cautious of sources that rely only on anecdotes or use fear to persuade
Cross-check important information with more than one reputable source
Ask a health care provider if something is unclear
Sexual health literacy
Seek accurate information about consent, contraception and STI prevention
Know where and how to access HIV and STI testing
Recognize how stigma and access barriers can affect sexual health decisions
Talk openly with health care providers to clarify questions
How social determinants shape health literacy
Education affects reading level and understanding of medical instructions
Internet access influences the ability to seek reliable information
Transportation and cost barriers limit chances to ask providers questions
Language access affects how well people can use written and spoken health information
Why health literacy matters at MEWI
The Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute’s work in health equity, community engagement and clinical outreach depends on strong health literacy. By helping individuals understand written materials, navigate reliable information and ask informed questions, MEWI supports healthier families and more resilient communities across Mississippi. Tools like Make It Plain help ensure that the information patients receive is not only accurate but also truly understandable.