Library and Information Week is fast approaching, running from July 28 to August 3.
This year's theme is "To Read or Not to Read: Health Literacy Matters."
The library is emphasising the importance of creating a health-literate environment for our consumers, partnering with HNELHD Clinical Governance, NSW Health's Statewide Health Literacy Hub and the Sydney Health Literacy Lab (SHLL).
Health literacy encompasses more than just understanding health information; it includes the ability to find, comprehend, and use this information to make informed health decisions. In Australia, 60% of people have low health literacy. By improving health literacy through partnerships with patients, families, and caregivers, we can help reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes. This concept is closely linked to the NSQHS Standard 2, Partnering with Consumers with which focuses on engaging consumers in health service governance and decision-making.
In response the district wide service, HNE Health Libraries is hosting two informative events throughout the week:
Tuesday July 29 at 10-11am, an online webinar on AI and Health Literacy presented by Dr. Julie Ayre from the Sydney Health Literacy Lab and Dana Mouwad the director of NSW Health's Statewide Health Literacy Hub.
Dr. Julie Ayre, Sydney Health Literacy Lab, University of Sydney who will discuss research on the role of generative AI in simplifying complex health information, highlighting its potential to improve readability and patient understanding. Risks, limitations and safety will also be discussed.
Dana Mouwad, Director of the Statewide Health Literacy Hub will then present a case study looking at the practical application of multilingual conversational voice AI using a validated tool to screen the prevalence of Long COVID in a culturally and linguistically diverse community. She will provide insights into key considerations, approaches including the risk assessment of AI.
Thursday, July 31, at 12:30pm during John Hunter Hospital, Division of Medicine & Interventional Services; Adult Medicine Grand Rounds will host a cross-discipline panel featuring:
- Sam Wieczorek, proud Worimi woman, District Manager; Innovation Precinct Lead, and former District Manager – Aboriginal Health (Care Coordination).
- Ashley Young, Director of Multicultural and Refugee Health
- Nicole Coleman, from the Organ and Donation Team, also celebrating Organ Donation Week.
- Kendell Larsen, social worker from the district gender service, Maple Leaf House.
Be sure to check out the health literacy specialty guide on the Library website, signin using your stafflink ID with newly implemented single sign-on.