AHEC/Clear Health Communication

AHEC Region Va at The Ohio State University serves 12 Central Ohio Counties and collaborates with Region Vb located at Ohio University in serving an additional 8 counties. OSU-AHEC, part of the Ohio State-Wide AHEC Program, receives funding from the Ohio Legislature to increase the availability of health care professionals and improve access to quality health care in Ohio. The mission is accomplished through academic and community collaboration, by emphasizing primary care, and focusing on underserved areas.

While working collaboratively on many state-wide initiatives, each AHEC Region in Ohio, given local needs and resources, has developed some unique programs to carry out the mission of improving health care in the communities served. Two major initiatives, Clear Health Communication, and the AHEC Grant program are described below.

Clear Health Communication Program

"Not knowing how to read feels like being blind, ignorant, not able to understand or ask people. I feel embarrassed to tell the doctor I cannot understand." Anonymous Patient

Health literacy is the degree to which a person can read, understand, and act on health information and services they need to make appropriate health decisions.

The Clear Health Communication Program provides healthcare providers and organizations with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges in better communicating healthcare messages to our patients, families and acommunity.

Services Provided by the Clear Health Communication Program

Training Workshops
Annual Health Communications workshop
On-line course modules for CE or academic credit
Assessing health materials and audiences
Writing and editing services
Consultation services
Disseminiating information about health literacy resources

To discuss these options or for general questions concerning The Ohio State University Clear Health Communication Program, please contact Sandra Cornett, PhD, RN, Director, at sandy.cornett@osumc.edu, or by phone at (614) 688-3327.

AHEC Grant Program

The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at The Ohio State Univeristy is one of 7 regional AHEC offices in Ohio that receives funding from the Ohio Legislature to support and conduct community-based healthcare programs. The AHEC mission is to improve the availability of health care professional and improve access to qualtiy healtcare in Ohio. The mission is accomplished through academic and community collaboration, by emphasizing primary care, and focusing on rural and urban underserved areas.