October is Health Literacy Month

Health Literacy Month, an annual, worldwide event, is a time for organizations and individuals to promote the importance of understandable health information. 

In September 2020, with the release of Healthy People 2030, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided updated definitions of personal health literacy and organizational health literacy.

The HHS update emphasizes people’s ability to use health information rather than just understand it. The new definitions also acknowledge that organizations have a responsibility to address health literacy.


Visit CDC's Health Literacy website for tools, resources and examples, including:

• Health Literacy tools for use in Pharmacies
• Making Your Healthcare Facility Literacy-Friendly and
• the Clear Communication Index