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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.

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registrants for our 2022 Health Literacy in Action conference

Maryland's Consumer Health Information Hub

By designation of the Maryland General Assembly, the Horowitz Center is Maryland's Consumer Health Information Hub as of July 1, 2022. We are planning hub activities and value your input! Stay tuned for Hub events starting in 2023.

Health Literacy in Action Conference

The Horowitz Center and the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) co-sponsor an annual Health Literacy in Action (HLiA) Conference for health literacy professionals and newcomers. The purpose of the conference is to connect ongoing health literacy research, policy, and practice. The 2022 conference was held October 13th and 14th online and featured a wide variety of sessions delivering actionable tools and skills for attendees to bring back to their workplaces.

The 2022 conference materials are available now!

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.

Chancellor Perman's introduction to health literacy in an educational context.

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

Plant emerging from the soil, space view of Earth, a child writing letters from the alphabet on a paper.
University of Maryland Awards 11 Grants to SPH Faculty to Address Humanity’s Grand Challenges
View Article University of Maryland Awards 11 Grants to SPH Faculty to Address Humanity’s Grand Challenges
Two men and one woman, who is in the middle, stand near a Maryland state proclamation and a sign with the University of Maryland name on it.
Alice Horowitz Receives UMD Alumni Association Legacy Award
View Article Alice Horowitz Receives UMD Alumni Association Legacy Award
University of Mrayland Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy sign on a glass door
Honoring Alice Horowitz, Health Literacy Pioneer
View Article Honoring Alice Horowitz, Health Literacy Pioneer

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.

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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.

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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.

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