Effective healthcare and public health initiatives depend on more than just medical expertise—they require a foundation of strong health literacy and community empowerment. This training course is designed to equip professionals with the tools to bridge the gap between complex health information and the communities that need it most. By enhancing health literacy, we can enable individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being, leading to improved patient outcomes and more equitable access to care.

This program will guide you through the process of assessing, designing, and implementing health literacy interventions that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. You will learn how to move beyond traditional communication methods to co-create solutions with community members, fostering a sense of ownership and sustained action. The course focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies that transform passive recipients of information into empowered advocates for their own health and the health of their community.

Duration

5 days

Target Audience

• Community health workers
• Public health professionals
• Patient advocates and navigators
• Social workers and case managers
• Healthcare providers and nurses
• Health education specialists
• Program managers in non-profit organizations
• Librarians and educators
• Researchers focusing on health disparities
• Government agency staff

Objectives

• Define health literacy and its impact on health outcomes.
• Assess the health literacy levels of a community.
• Develop plain language communication strategies.
• Design culturally and linguistically appropriate health materials.
• Engage community members as partners in health promotion.
• Implement effective health literacy programs and interventions.
• Leverage technology to improve access to health information.
• Advocate for policies that support health literacy and empowerment.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of health literacy initiatives.

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Health Literacy

• Defining health literacy beyond reading skills.
• The link between low health literacy and health disparities.
• The five components of the health literacy environment.
• Identifying the signs of low health literacy.
• The role of cultural competence in health communication.

Module 2: Assessing and Addressing Needs

• Tools for assessing health literacy in a population.
• The importance of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Conducting a community needs assessment.
• Identifying health information gaps and barriers.
• Developing a baseline for program evaluation.

Module 3: Effective Communication Strategies

• Applying plain language principles to written materials.
• Using teach-back and show-me methods for confirmation.
• Creating engaging visual aids and media.
• Strategies for communicating complex information simply.
• Communicating effectively across different health settings.

Module 4: Community Engagement and Empowerment

• The principles of community-based participatory research.
• Building trust and authentic partnerships with communities.
• Engaging community leaders and trusted messengers.
• Fostering a sense of ownership in health initiatives.
• The difference between engagement and simple outreach.

Module 5: Designing Health Literacy Programs

• A step-by-step guide to program development.
• Adapting evidence-based interventions to local contexts.
• The role of peer education and lay health advisors.
• Integrating health literacy into clinical workflows.
• Creating sustainable program models.

Module 6: Digital Health and Technology

• Using mobile apps and websites to deliver health information.
• The benefits and challenges of telehealth.
• Ensuring digital health tools are accessible and usable.
• The role of social media in health communication.
• Addressing the digital divide in program design.

Module 7: Policy and Advocacy

• Advocating for health literacy standards in healthcare.
• The impact of policy on health literacy.
• Building a case for funding health literacy initiatives.
• Engaging with policymakers and legislative bodies.
• Creating a vision for a health literate organization.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.