St. Mary's Parish Nurse Ministry Program
Ruth E. Williams, RN, MEPD, MSN

Dear Viewers, Peace to all in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Have a Spiritual Lent. Proverbs 4:20-22, states, "My son, to my words be attentive, to my sayings incline your ear; Let them not slip out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them, to man's whole being they are Health."

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This month is known for National Nutrition Month, National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month, World Kidney Day 3/13/08, and American Diabetes Alert Day 3/25/08. This month let's focus on the concept of Health Literacy. Health Literacy is described by Doak, Doak, and Root (1996) as the commonly accepted definition of literacy as the ability to read, understand, and interpret information written at an eighth grade level.(Faith Community Nursing, Hickman, 2006). Health Literacy is the degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand the basic health information and services needed to make a health decision. (www.cdphestateco.us/ohd/glossary.html) These definitions include the ability to evaluate, analyze, calculate, interpret, and locate information. The person needs visual, computer, and numerical abilities. Poor health literacy can lead to missed appointments, not able to understand the process of taking medications, blood sugar and blood pressure measurements, improper use of inhalers, pertinent questioning of Health Care Providers (HCP), at appointment time, and not refilling medications on time to name a few important items. PLEASE VISIT YOUR PARISH NURSE, HCP, PHARMACIST FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT YOUR CARE. Also, visit www.AskMe3. 3 John 2 states, "Beloved I hope you are in good Health-May you thrive in all other ways as you do in the spirit." My book, A COLLECTION OF PARISH NURSE NEWSLETTERS is available at www.dorrancebookstore.com; amazon.com; Eden Book Store (1-877-627-5653) toll free. Ocooch Book Store (1-608-647-8826).