Health literacy differs from reading literacy. According to Dr. Michelle Gourdine, Chief Medical Officer at CVS Caremark, 90 million Americans have low health literacy. Speaking at Fortune’s Brainstorm Health conference in Dana Point, California, Dr. Gourdine explained that these individuals struggle to understand and use health information due to the complexity of the system. This discussion took place during a panel on rebuilding trust in health care, moderated by Fortune Well editor Jennifer Fields.
The American medical system is notoriously complex. Dr. Gourdine, also a senior vice president at CVS Health, noted that only 12% of adults in the U.S. have high health literacy.
The decline in trust in health care has been gradual. Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, political polarization, and the lack of affordable care have all played a role, according to Nikhil Bumb, Managing Director at FSG, who was also on the panel.
“Trust in institutions is at an all-time low,” Bumb stated.
Access to health care is another major issue. Dr. Gourdine mentioned she lives in an area with many supermarkets, public transportation options, and doctors’ offices, and she has insurance. However, this is not the reality for the 25 million uninsured Americans or the 50 million living below the poverty line. She cited a study showing that in over 50 U.S. cities, neighborhoods just five miles apart can have a 20-year difference in life expectancy. “Essential resources for health are not evenly distributed,” Dr. Gourdine said.
Additionally, 80% of what influences health is not medical, she noted. Factors like environment, economy, education, and employment all impact health, emphasizing the importance of public health.
Trust remains a concern in both public and private health care. Many people now turn to social media for health information instead of consulting professionals. Health care also demands a lot from patients. For instance, a simple mammogram requires trust in the medical professional and the system, as well as the financial aspects, explained Dr. Shantanu Nundy, Executive Vice President at Care Delivery and Chief Health Officer at Accolade.
Patients with higher levels of trust are more likely to follow medical advice, such as undergoing routine mammograms. However, the introduction of new technology has led to concerns about what automation means for health care, noted Bumb. Rebuilding trust in the health care system will be challenging, but the experts are optimistic about their ability to do so.
