Portia Prescott: The Importance of Health Literacy

Health literacy means that Coloradans and Americans alike need to be vigilant and educated about corrupt healthcare practices like toxic billing, discrimination, junk insurance plans, co-pay accumulator adjustment programs, and pharmacy benefit managers. This month, we all need to take the time to look into our healthcare plans and assess them as open enrollment period approaches. As NAACP Colorado- Montana-Wyoming State Conference President, I take it upon myself to spread awareness of these issues and ensure our communities are notified of these issues, especially given that limited health literacy is especially significant among 57% of Black Americans. Because of this, Black Americans living with limited health literacy experience a higher burden of disease, poorer health outcomes, and reduced access to quality healthcare.