Do you know that some studies suggest that nearly 50% of all adults may have problems understanding prescriptions, appointment slips, informed consent documents and other health education materials?  It’s a national problem that is costing our health care system billions of dollars a year. 

To highlight the issue, Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey is hosting New Jersey’s first statewide health literacy summit on Friday, April 3, 2009, at the Enterprise Center at Burlington County College.  The Summit will start at 8:00 a.m. and run through 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Philip Bonaparte who will be speaking at the summit to address the next steps for health literacy in New Jersey noted, “There is clearly a lack of understanding in the general public regarding the health impacts and costs associated with health literacy.  That is why I am so pleased that Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey has brought experts together from across New Jersey to discuss how this issue is impacting all of us.”

“Many experts feel that health literacy is one of the most neglected issues facing our health care system,” said Elissa Director, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey.  “This summit will examine the problem from all angles and attempt to build a roadmap to help improve health literacy skills.”

For more information about the summit, please contact:  Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey at 908-203-4582.

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the oldest and largest health insurer in the state serving over 3.6 million members. Horizon BCBSNJ is New Jersey's only not-for-profit, health services corporation and is headquartered in Newark with offices in Wall, Mt. Laurel, and West Trenton.

 Horizon BCBSNJ provides a broad array of health and dental insurance products and services for individuals and small and large companies, including national companies headquartered in New Jersey.  Horizon BCBSNJ is committed to improving the health care experience for all the communities we serve as well as helping our members become and stay healthy.                                                    

 About Horizon NJ Health

Horizon NJ Health is New Jersey’s largest managed healthcare organization serving the publicly insured, providing health services for more than 391,000 people in all 21 New Jersey counties. Headquartered in West Trenton, NJ, Horizon NJ Health, a partnership, is a product of Horizon HMO. Horizon HMO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The website for Horizon NJ Health is found at www.horizonNJhealth.com.

 About Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey

Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey (LVNJ) provides life-changing opportunities for thousands of adults who need help learning to read and write or to communicate in English. The Literacy Volunteers network has a corps of 2,500 trained volunteer tutors who provide free tutoring to more than 4,500 low literate adults.  According to Elissa Director, Executive Director of LVNJ, “Literacy Volunteers is committed to building healthy communities in New Jersey.  We focus on our most economically and educationally challenged residents, helping them acquire the basic literacy skills essential for success.”