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.
Check out our new consumer health information on ways to keep your family healthy!
Upcoming Events
June 8, 2026 @ 10 AM EST | Webinar - Advancing Health Literacy in Maryland with the Health Literacy Organizational Seal Program Part 2
Join the Maryland Hub team for a discussion of the application process and the lessons learned about the Maryland Health Literacy Organizational Seal. Dr. Cynthia Baur, Director of the Horowitz Center, and Lindsay Rosenfeld, PhD, consultant on the Seal program, will review what the Hub team has learned from organizations participating in the pilot Seal program, the updated application process, and how your organization can implement health literacy in your organization, even if it’s not ready for the full Seal. Register now!
What's New
Maryland Health Literacy Organizational Seal
The Maryland Consumer Health Information Hub developed the Maryland Health Literacy Organizational Seal Program to recognize state and local agencies that prioritize clear communication with the public. The seal highlights how agencies have built health literacy insights and practices into their work. Check out the Seal.
Tools for Learning and Teaching Health Literacy
The Center for Health Literacy developed the Health Literacy Education Toolkit to support educators in colleges, universities and professional development programs to learn and teach the skills to effectively communicate health information for all audiences. You can use the Toolkit content in undergraduate and graduate programs in public health, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and social work. The Toolkit also includes health literacy training for Community Health Workers and clinicians. View the Toolkit.
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.