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, December 1, 2025 @ 10 AM ET | Webinar: Advancing Health Literacy in Maryland State and Local Public Health Organizations
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on how state and local organizations are implementing health literacy plans and techniques in Maryland. This webinar will showcase real-world examples from two organizations: the Maryland Department of Health Office of Children and Youth with Specific Health Care Needs and the Talbot County Health Department. Speakers from each organization will explain how health literacy they are making health literacy fundamental in their work to communicate clearly with the public. Register now!
Featured speakers:
- Josh Weber, Public Information Officer, Talbot County Health Department
- Tatum Cox, Health Policy Analyst, Office of Children and Youth with Specific Health Care Needs, Maryland Department of Health
Monday, October 27, 2025 @ 10 AM ET | Webinar: Advancing Health Literacy Partnership with Community Health Workers
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on how Community Health Workers (CHWs) are enhancing health literacy in both community and clinical settings in Maryland. This webinar will showcase real-world examples from two prominent organizations: the Latino Health Initiative (LHI) and the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center. Both organizations will illustrate how health literacy is integrated into their CHW program. Register now!
Featured speakers:
- Miriam Zamudio, Community Engagement manager at the Latino Health Initiative, will highlight the impact of CHWs in community-based settings.
- Amanda Toohey, Senior Project Manager at Howard County Medical Center, will share insights on the role of CHWs in clinical settings.
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.
Health Literacy and Misinformation Podcast
Join Horowitz Center Director Cynthia Baur as she talks about health literacy and misinformation with Maryland-based pediatrician Dr. Nicole Rochester for her Immune Deficiency Foundation podcast, Bold Conversations. Dr. Baur and Dr. Rochester discuss how misinformation relates to health literacy and why it's so attractive. They also talk about what organizations and individuals can do to reduce the impact of misinformation. Listen to the podcast.
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.