Community Organizations

Community organizations can be effective collaborators on health literacy initiatives. They contribute to the well-being of community members by providing residents with

• Health information and services
• Education, including adult literacy and English-language instruction
• Social support and services

Consult the resources on this page when working with community organizations to provide health information and services and to evaluate local communication needs. The resources may also help other people and organizations identify common interests and opportunities to work with community groups on projects that use health literacy best practices.

Limited English Proficiency

• National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (University of Minnesota) – Supports health departments and community organizations working with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Provides free, customizable, and translated campaign materials for anyone to use.
• English Language Acquisition (Literacy Information and Communication System) – Four online courses on the language and critical thinking skills of English language learners, integrating digital literacy into English language acquisition (ELA) classes, designing and implementing an adult ELA program for career pathways, and using instructional strategies with adult English learners. Free account required for access.
• Content Standards for English Language Learners (Literacy Information and Communication System) – Three courses to help instructors support English language learners in academic language development and engagement in academic content. Free account required for access.
• ESOL Curriculum (Queens [New York] Public Library) – English-speakers-of-other-languages (ESOL) curricula to address beginner and intermediate English language learners
• Staying Healthy for Beginners: An English Learner’s Guide to Health Care and Healthy Living – Teacher Guide (Literacy Information and Communication System) – Ideas for lessons and activities for incorporating health content into English learner classrooms. Use with Student Guide.

Adult Literacy

Collaborations with community organizations can improve the well-being of community members

• Literacy Assistance Center – Training and curriculum development support for adult basic education practitioners in community-based organizations, libraries, community colleges, and public school systems
• Connecting Practice, Policy & Research (National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy) – Research, policy, and practice highlighting adult literacy’s connections to health, employment, and post-secondary education

Cross-cutting Resources

• Community Stress Resource Center (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – Guidance and tools for reducing stress and building resilience in communities during public health responses to environmental contamination
• Who Can Businesses Work With to Strengthen Community Health and Economic Prosperity? (Office of the Surgeon General) – Recommended actions that businesses can take to join with other organizations to improve community health and increase economic prosperity. Also see Executive Summary of Community Health and Economic Prosperity and Community-Strengthening Business Practices.
• In It Together Health Literacy Project (TargetHIV) – Resources for health professionals serving people at risk for and living with HIV. Resources for health professionals serving Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
• Adult and child literacy and health literacy resources (World Education) – Results, trainings, and resources from World Education’s research, programs, and projects
• Health Literacy in Adult Basic Education (Harvard School of Public Health) – A guide for integrating health literacy skills into adult education instruction
• Online Health Information: Is It Reliable? (National Institute on Aging) – A tutorial to help older adults find trusted, accurate, online information. Also available by download.

For more information, please review the complete text of Goals 4 and 5 in Section 3 of the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy.