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Lee Health: Advancing health literacy in our community

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 5:59 GMT by Naples Daily News
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Lee Health Leads the Charge in Boosting Health Literacy Across the Community

On October 6, 2025, The Banner published a feature that underscores how Lee Health is stepping up its game to improve health literacy in the Naples area. The article, which has become a talking point for local leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents alike, outlines a multi‑layered strategy that blends technology, community outreach, and staff training to empower patients and families to understand and manage their health better.

A Comprehensive Vision: The Lee Health Health Literacy Initiative

At the heart of the piece is Lee Health’s newly unveiled Health Literacy Initiative, a $3.2‑million, three‑year effort that brings together physicians, nurses, educators, and community partners. The initiative is built around four pillars:

1. Patient Education and Resources – A fresh suite of easy‑to‑read, culturally relevant pamphlets, videos, and infographics will be available in the clinic waiting rooms, on the Lee Health website, and via a dedicated mobile app. These materials are designed to explain everything from basic health terms to how to read medication labels, all translated into the major languages spoken in the region.

2. Digital Literacy Training – In a nod to the growing importance of telehealth and online patient portals, Lee Health is rolling out a free “Digital Health Literacy” workshop series. The workshops teach patients how to navigate the patient portal, schedule virtual visits, and use mobile health trackers. The article links to a dedicated Lee Health page that offers registration details and a calendar of upcoming sessions.

3. Staff Training – The “Teach‑Back” Method – Recognizing that health literacy starts with the patient–provider interaction, Lee Health is training all frontline staff in the Teach‑Back technique, where clinicians ask patients to repeat information in their own words. This simple yet effective method helps ensure that critical information is understood and retained. The article quotes Dr. Maya Sanchez, Lee Health’s Director of Patient Experience, who notes that “Teach‑Back can reduce medication errors by up to 30%.”

4. Community Partnerships – The initiative is a collaborative effort with local schools, faith‑based organizations, and non‑profits such as the Naples Health and Hospital Association. Lee Health is partnering with the Naples Public School System to embed basic health literacy into middle‑school curricula, providing a set of lesson plans that teachers can incorporate into health and science classes.

A Personal Touch: Stories of Impact

Beyond the statistics and program outlines, the article shares the story of Maria Rodriguez, a 48‑year‑old nurse who recently navigated her grandmother’s complex medication regimen after attending a Lee Health workshop. Maria shares that the simplified handouts and the Teach‑Back approach helped her understand the timing and purpose of each medication, reducing her anxiety and the risk of errors.

Similarly, the piece highlights the experience of a local church that has become a pop‑up health literacy center during the initiative’s rollout. By offering free one‑on‑one sessions at the church hall, Lee Health has made its resources more accessible to older adults who may be less comfortable with digital tools.

Data‑Driven Outcomes and Future Goals

Lee Health’s leadership presented preliminary data from a pilot program launched in the first six months. The findings, summarized in a chart on the article’s second page, show:

• Reduced Emergency Room Visits – A 12% drop among patients who completed the digital literacy workshops.
• Higher Medication Adherence – A 17% improvement in patients who used the new pamphlets and taught back information.
• Increased Use of Telehealth – 25% more patients scheduled virtual visits after attending a digital literacy session.

Dr. John Evans, Lee Health’s Chief Medical Officer, explained that the initiative is “not just about providing information, but about fostering an environment where patients feel confident to ask questions and share their concerns.” He added that future phases will focus on integrating health literacy into the electronic health record (EHR) system, enabling automated reminders and personalized learning pathways.

Links and Resources

The article does a commendable job of directing readers to more in‑depth information:

• A link to the Lee Health Health Literacy page (https://www.leehealth.org/health-literacy) offers downloadable resources, a video library, and a FAQ section.
• Another link takes readers to the Digital Health Literacy workshop schedule, which includes virtual and in‑person options across multiple community centers.
• For those interested in volunteering or partnering, a link to the Lee Health Community Partnerships portal provides application forms and partnership guidelines.

These resources give community members a clear call to action, whether they want to attend a workshop, volunteer as a health literacy coach, or simply download a pamphlet to share with family and friends.

A Call to Community Engagement

Ultimately, the article frames Lee Health’s initiative as a communal effort that invites participation from all sectors. The piece ends with an open invitation to community members, local business owners, and civic leaders to attend a town‑hall meeting scheduled for October 20 at the Naples Community Center. The meeting will discuss how the initiative can be expanded to other regions and how local organizations can contribute resources or expertise.

In Summary

Lee Health’s Health Literacy Initiative, as spotlighted by The Banner, represents a comprehensive, data‑driven approach to a persistent public health challenge. By combining patient‑friendly educational materials, digital training, staff communication techniques, and robust community partnerships, the initiative aims to make health information accessible, actionable, and enduring. The story’s mix of program details, personal narratives, and forward‑looking data not only informs but also motivates readers to engage with their own health knowledge and with the resources Lee Health is making available. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, a teacher, or a business owner, the initiative offers a tangible way to help reduce health disparities and improve outcomes across the Naples community.