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 Numerous federally
or state-funded special programs are eager to provide outreach
to educational institutions via healthcare experts who are
trained to provide health literacy information on such sensitive
issues as AIDS and HIV, tuberculosis, STDs, as well as wellness,
preventive care and nutrition. These providers often will
supply guest speakers and simplified or bilingual resources
and information. If available in your area, these valuable
healthcare resource personnel can provide expert information
to ESOL students in simple, understandable language. Bilingual
healthcare experts are often available to communicate critical
health issues with students with very limited English language
and literacy. At least one of the following health entities
should exist in most communities and can facilitate providing
your students with health literacy information.
- Community or County Hospitals usually
have an education department that provides literature
and makes presentations about health services and access
to them.
- Community, City or County Health Departments
educate communities about antiseptic practices, infectious
diseases, and availability and necessity of vaccinations.
- Community Health Clinics often make
presentations about their services and how to access them.
They will also distribute literature about health problems
within certain communities. They may offer classes on
special topics.
- Department of Human Services/Welfare Offices
will often make presentation s about accessing Medicare
or Medicaid and other services in communities for the
poor. Sometimes they will help students enroll in Medicaid
or Medicare programs.
- Planned Parenthood will often make
presentations and distribute literature about family planning,
STDs and reproductive health. They might also provide
support to help students access health services at reduced
or no cost.
- American Cancer Society, American Heart Association,
America Lung Association, American Diabetes Association,
Center for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency
often have local representatives or agencies. The provide
literature about diseases, how to prevent them, and how
to access services. They may also perform basic health
tests, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood
sugar screenings.
Click on this link to look at the range of services that are provided at many county health clinics.
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Take a moment to consider the students in your
classroom. Which of these services could they benefit
from? Ideas of services could include anything from
information on basic access to healthcare to outside
speakers on specific topics. Your ideas can include
any services from the above link or any service
or materials from another healthcare agency that
you might have already used in your classroom,
so feel free to share past classroom success related
to promoting health literacy! Post 3 to 5 sentences
to the bulletin board to share with others. |
 The U.S. Health Insurance
system can be confusing for our students who come from countries
with subsidized health care or from countries where health
insurance options are far more limited than those in the
U.S. Some of our learners might lack health insurance not
because they can't afford it, but because they believe it
to be too costly and frankly, the choices incomprehensible.
Others work for companies that provide low-cost or free
health insurance, but health-insurance jargon such as PPO,
HMO, co-pay, deductible, and annual maximum allowable are
baffling. Our learners need assistance in navigating their
way through the myriad options and stipulations of health
insurance so that they can understand their insurance benefits
and responsibilities.
The national EL Civics initiative has created a renewed interest in improving health literacy for adult English language learners. Click on the links below to access lesson plans and worksheets developed for by Fairfax County, Virginia, with funding from an EL Civics grant. These lesson plans and handouts will help your high intermediate to advanced ESOL students better understand health insurance options and choosing healthcare plans in the U.S.
Understanding Health Insurance
Choosing a Health Insurance Plan
Our students might have access to company health insurance plans, but need help understanding various options.
Click on the link below for a lesson plan suitable for
High Intermediate to Academic Skills - Level LCP D - F students
- which should help guide instructors through discussing
Medicaid, Medicare and Health Insurance options.
Click on the second link for an activity sheet to help
students consider the different options offered by one employer's
health insurance plan.
Some English language learners might qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, but not know where and how to access these services. Medicaid and Medicare eligibility rules and options can be complicated. Invite a representation into your classroom from the local Department of Children and Families or another local community social service agency to present information to your students.
http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/Medicaid/index.shtml
The Department of Children and Families website with general information about Medicaid and Medicare eligibility and services for teacher resource.
http://www.moneyinstructor.com/wsp/healthinsurance.asp
Lesson plans and activity sheets on insurance from "MoneyInstructor.com" suitable for high intermediate to advanced students. Limited membership is free.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson16/
An excellent reading and lesson plans on insurance suitable
for high intermediate or advanced students.
http://www.pbs.org/now/science/medicare.html
PBS website for teachers provides a thorough overview of Medicare, complete with objectives and lesson. Designed for grades 9 through 12. Vocabulary and syntax too complex for all but most advanced ESL students, but is an excellent resource for information.
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