Horowitz Center for Health Literacy
The Center provides research, education, and service to improve health literacy at the individual, family, community, organization, and society levels. We aim to advance health literacy in Maryland and nationwide.
Four resources ground our work: Healthy People 2030 health literacy definitions, Federal Plain Language Guidelines, CDC's Clear Communication Index, and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards.
The Center was endowed and honors the legacy of Dr. Herschel S. Horowitz, a prominent scientist, educator, and public health advocate.
Upcoming Events
Monday, May 5, 2025 @10 AM | Webinar: Tackling Rumors and Understanding & Strengthening Trust (TRUST) in Public Health
The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security has developed an evidence-informed website with tools, resources, and guidance to support practitioners as they address misinformation and build trust in public health. Center staff will discuss TRUST resources and training. Register now!
Monday, June 2, 2025 @10 AM | Webinar: Introduction to Digital Accessibility
The Maryland Consumer Hub invites you to our Introduction to Digital Accessibility webinar on Monday June 2, 2025 at 10 AM. Dan Doggett from the Maryland Department of Disabilities will provide an overview of digital accessibility and its impact on various disabilities. He will cover the foundational principles of digital accessibility, the laws and standards governing it, and provide tools and resources on how to incorporate it in your work. Register now!
What's New
Earn the Undergraduate Health Literacy Badge
The UMD School of Public Health (SPH) prepares its undergraduate students with a comprehensive range of public health practitioner skills, equipping them to work in diverse settings and contexts. As part of this preparation, the Health Literacy Badge is a co-curricular activity for SPH undergraduates that includes 10 hours of activities: 8 required and 2 optional hours, which aligns with the 10 Essential Public Health Services on the need for public health organizations to communicate effectively to inform and educate the public. View badge here.
Maryland Plain Language Action Planning Guide
The Maryland Plain Language Action Planning Guide is intended to help your organization create a Plain Language and Language Access Action Plan. Every organization that provides public information needs to plan to make sure all its information is in plain language and accessible in the languages people use. The October 2024 webinar provides more information.
Why Health Literacy is a Core Educational Competency
Chancellor Jay Perman, MD
Dr. Perman recorded the video below to open the first-ever meeting of University System of Maryland (USM) campus representatives to discuss health literacy educational activities. He explained his own experience seeing health literacy issues up close as a practicing pediatric gastroenterologist and the significance of health literacy as part of a USM education. The USM group intends to meet twice a year to share information and best practices in health literacy education and student opportunities.
Horowitz Center COVID-19 communications work
The Center provides health literacy and risk communication expertise on COVID-19. We use mass and social media, public presentations, community outreach, and expert consults.
Latest News
Featured Projects
HealthyMe/MiSalud
The Center is funded by NIH to develop and test HealthyMe/MiSalud, a smartphone application in English and Spanish to help African American and Hispanic adults set health goals, ask questions, and get personalized information about common health conditions and preventive services.
Diabetes Prevention
The Center leads and participates in multiple diabetes prevention projects in Maryland. We work with the Maryland Department of Health, local health departments, and Local Health Improvement Coalitions to implement the Maryland Diabetes Action Plan.
Oral Health
The Center leads and participates in many projects to educate the public, providers, and policymakers about oral health diseases and conditions and how to prevent them.