Pleasant, A. & Kuruvilla, S. (2008). A tale of two health literacies: public health and clinical approaches to health literacy. Health Promotion International, 23(2),152-159

Schiavo, R. (2007). Health communication: From theory to practice.San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Schwartzberg, J. G., VanGeest, J. B. & Wang, C. G. (Eds.). (2005). Understanding health literacy: Implications for medicine and public health. United States: American Medical Association. 

Canadian Council on Learning. (2007). Health Literacy in Canada: Initial results from the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey. Ottawa: Canadian Council on Learning.  View Report

Friedman, D., & Hoffman-Goetz, L. (2007). Assessing cultural sensitivity of breast cancer information for older Aboriginal women. Journal of Cancer Education, 22(2), 112-118.

Rootman, I., & Gordon-El-Bihbety, D. (2008). A Vision for a Health Literate Canada: Report
of the Expert Panel on Health Literacy. Ottawa: Canadian Public Health Association. View Report

Friedman, D., Hoffman-Goetz, L., & Arocha, J. F. (2004). Readability of cancer information on the internet. Journal of Cancer Education, 19(2), 117-122.

Fogel, J. (2003). Internet use for cancer information among racial/ethnic groups and low literacy groups. Cancer Control, 10(5), 45-51.

Neuhauser, L. & Kreps, G. L. (2008). Online cancer communication: Meeting the literacy, cultural and linguistic needs of diverse audiences. Patient Education and Counseling, 71(3), 365-377. 

Thomson, M. D., Hoffman-Goetz, L. (2007). Readability and cultural sensitivity of web-based patient decision aids for cancer screening and treatment: A systematic review. Informatics for Health and Social Care 32(4), 263-286.

There are a variety of resources available for patients and families. Here are a few suggestions on where to start:

• The Patient Library has a wide variety of materials available for loan. All of the materials in the library are reviewed and approved by staff members at the Regional Cancer Program  (review tool).

• The Search Request Form  (English/French) allows patients to request a customized information package
• The Patient Library website offers a series of links and subject guides
• The video Understanding your Treatment and the Information for Patients and Families binder are available on the website.

Every single resource in the Patient Library (including websites) has been reviewed and approved by Regional Cancer Program staff members  (review tool).

If you would like to see a list of approved materials or are interested in reviewing some materials please contact Roxanne Chaput, Ext 2175 rchaput@hrsrh.on.ca