32655 Assessment of literacy inclusivity of dermatologic patient education material at UMass dermatology and beyond

Abstract

Inequalities in society are emphasized, consciously or not, by the current health care system. They can be based off race, income, and education level. The needs of marginalized communities should be examined, and systems corrected accordingly, to provide more equality in care. Patient education materials are an opportunity to bridge the gap in patient care. However, these materials are often not inclusive to the public. With 82.7% of people reporting to use the internet as a medical resource and the NIH recommending a literacy level between 3rd and 7th grade, it is critical to examine these websites.