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Background Information about Health and Literacy | Materials Development and Assessment
Curricula, Curriculum Guides, and Lessons | Readers (Stories and Factbooks)
Bibliographies and Databases

Readers include both personal stories, some created by adult literacy students, and booklets with factual information on health topics. The story format is popular in adult education settings, as stories provide a personally relevant way to begin a discussion of intimidating topics. However, some of the student-made materials may contain inaccurate health information or opinions. In contrast, the factual booklets are good literature for a laundromat, a doctor's waiting room, or other places where people might read as they wait. The booklets often include a glossary to help people understand the material.

The reading levels of curricula are noted only when provided by the author or distributor. The Reading Level Index can also help with assessing appropriate audiences for various curricula.

Many of these readers are in English. For multilingual materials about a particular health issue, see the Language Index or the section titled Bibliographies and Databases. Many of the materials listed under Bibliographies and Databases will provide citations to limited literacy multilingual brochures and pamphlets.

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95 (book); $16.00 (tape) (discount available for bulk orders).

This 90-page chapter book was written for people with limited literacy skills. It helps the reader understand what drug abuse is and how much drinking is too much. It describes addiction and how to recover from it. It includes stories of individuals dealing with substance abuse problems. It includes a glossary and national phone numbers for more information. Read-along tapes are available. This book was produced in collaboration with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Substance abuse

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95 (book); $16.00 (tape).

This 80-page chapter book for people with limited literacy skills covers cancer myths and facts, prevention and risk factors, and early detection information. It includes life stories of people with cancer, a glossary, and phone numbers for more information. Read-along tapes are available. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Cancer

Available from: Peppercorn Books and Press; P.O. Box 693; Snow Camp, NC 27349; phone (336) 574-1634; $7.

This story was written for South African adults in literacy classes, but could be valuable in doctors' offices or ESOL classes in the United States. The illustrated story tells what AIDS is, how it is spread, and how to stop it. The story takes place among a group of people at a Bible Studies evening, and addresses some of people's negative reactions to the topic of AIDS. This book could be helpful when working with people who find U.S.-based AIDS education materials too positive about sexual relationships outside of marriage. All the organizational resources included are from South Africa. Also available in Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho.

Keywords: AIDS/HIV

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $6.50 (discount available for bulk purchases).

This 38-page, black and white reader covers the basic information necessary in emergencies, including dealing with choking, bleeding, poisoning, shock, burns, broken bones, and more. Each chapter includes review questions. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: First aid

Available from: McGraw-Hill Ryerson; 300 Water Street; Whitby, Ontario L1N 9B6 CANADA; phone (905) 430-5000; fax (800) 463-5885; $14.95.

This 400-page, large print reader about women's health was written in consultation with a wide range of women-- rural women, women in shelters, health professionals and others. The topics covered in the reader are those women requested, such as eating well; dealing with your "nerves"; depression; being active; controlling your weight; over-the-counter drugs; you and your doctor; sexuality; birth control; vaginal infections; pap tests; examining your breasts; and menopause. Written at about a sixth grade reading level, the personal style of the writing and the simple line drawings make it not only accessible but also interesting to read. While the book was written in Canada, most of the information is also relevant in the United States. This book takes into consideration not just people's ability to read, but also their specific life circumstances. For example, when talking about nutrition, Breen addresses the cost of food, and how to eat healthy on a tight budget. The author emphasizes mental health and emotional issues and covers sexual concerns with real care. She includes information many people may not know, such as why a woman with an IUD needs more iron in her diet. However, because of the age of the publication, not all the information is up-to-date.

Keywords: Contraception / Drugs (legal) / Mental health / Nutrition / Women's health

Available at: http://www.alri.org/feelgood/feelgood.html; free.

This interactive material--in six sections, each about two to three pages long--was written by ESOL students for other students new to the United States. It is about being new to a country and feeling stress, and all the things people do to try to feel better. It emphasizes fun exercise (from walking to hula-hooping) as a healthy way to relieve stress. It includes photos.

Keywords: Exercise / Immigrants / Stress

Available at: http://www.worlded.org/us/health/docs/hivaids.htm; free.

This large print, easy-to-read, 18-page Web site was written by students in an Intermediate ESOL class at the Adult Learning Program in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. The Web site includes student impressions of the AIDS quilt as well as skits about how people contract HIV and how to talk with children about AIDS. The skits include discussion questions for classroom use. The "Note to Teachers" (written by an ESOL teacher) provides useful insight into how HIV/AIDS can be brought into an adult ESOL classroom.

Keywords: AIDS/HIV

Available from: New Reader's Press; Phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95 (book); $16.00 (tape) (discount available for bulk orders).

This 95-page chapter book was designed for adults with limited literacy skills, to help them learn about good nutrition, planning meals, shopping for and preparing food, eating out, and finding a healthy weight. It includes life stories and a glossary and phone numbers for more information. Read-along tapes are available. It was produced in collaboration with the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Nutrition

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95 (book); $16.00 (tape) (discount available for bulk orders).

This 80-page chapter book was written for adults with limited literacy skills. It is designed to help people learn about safe ways to exercise and how to set achievable exercise goals. It includes a glossary and phone numbers for more information. Read-along tapes are available. This book was produced in collaboration with IDEA, the International Association of Fitness Professionals. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Exercise

Available From: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95; (discount available for bulk orders).

This chapter book for adults with limited literacy skills talks about finding a health care provider, talking with the doctor, check-ups, when to call the doctor, what it is like to go to the hospital, taking medicines, and paying for health care. It includes a glossary and phone numbers for more information. It was produced in collaboration with the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Medical care -- Finding and using

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95 (discount available for bulk orders).

This 96-page chapter book for adults with limited literacy skills covers all aspects of having a baby. It describes prenatal care; medical tests; taking care of oneself (nutrition, exercise, stress); physical changes during pregnancy; labor and birth; breast-feeding; and circumcision. Also emotional and societal issues are covered, such as how other children cope with the new baby, sex during pregnancy, and making ends meet financially. Information about getting ready for the birth describes childbirth classes, making a birth plan, and preparing things the baby needs, such as a crib or diapers. It includes phone numbers for more information. It was written in collaboration with Sharron S. Humenick, Ph.D., RN, FACCE, Editor, Journal of Perinatal Education. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Childbearing

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $7.75 (discount available for bulk orders).

This 110-page reader, designed for childbirth educators and adults with limited literacy skills, describes what it is like to be pregnant and care for a newborn. The first section covers both the physical changes women experience during pregnancy, and what it is like to get prenatal care. The second section describes giving birth, and the final section has information about taking care of a newborn baby. Three women, shown in photographs, describe their experiences in each section. Each section includes vocabulary words. The book includes a short bibliography for the teacher. It is illustrated with black and white line drawings of female anatomy. Grade level: 4 and up.

Keywords: Childbearing

Available from: Guidance Centre; 712 Gordon Baker Road; Toronto, Ontario M2H 3R7 CANADA; phone (416) 502-1262; fax (416) 502-1101; $4.95.

This 5x7 inch, 35-page, student-written story with extensive photos and lots of white space is about a women's group. One day the group talks about menstruation and menopause, covering both personal beliefs, embarrassments, anatomy, and physiology. The story was written for women with limited literacy skills.

Keywords: Menstruation

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95; (discount available for bulk orders).

This chapter book for adults with limited literacy skills describes stress and ways to reduce it, such as relaxation techniques, exercise, and healthy eating. It includes a glossary. It was produced in collaboration with the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Exercise / Nutrition / Stress

Available from: COSSMHO Publications; 1501 Sixteenth Street, NW; Washington, DC 20036; phone (202) 387-5000; video: $10; workbook $5.

This 44-page book, in large print, and its accompanying VHS video provide older adults with information on medicines and their effects. Information is also provided on how to talk to your health professional about taking medications. The workbook is in both Spanish and English. The video is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Keywords: Aging / Drugs (legal)

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $3.95.

Patricia Fogarty and the staff of Literacy Volunteers of New York City have supplemented this short selection from the novel Borrowed Time: An AIDS Memoir in order to make it easier for adults with limited literacy skills to understand. This unintimidating, slim, 63-page paperback includes notes to the reader about the novel and about the history of AIDS in America; a short biography of the author; some advice about finding AIDS information; and the selection itself. The editors include some questions and exercises for the reader, a glossary and resources for further information. Grade level: 4 and up.

Keywords: AIDS/HIV

Available from: National Migrant Resource Program; 1515 Capital of Texas Hwy. South, Suite 220; Austin, TX 78746; phone (512) 328-7682; fax (512) 328-8559; $3.50.

This 36-page, bilingual publication is modified from Exchange Lists for Meal Planning, a meal planning system designed by a committee of the American Dietetic Association. It is intended to be used by people with diabetes, who have learned how many servings, or "exchanges" of food, their bodies need. It gives a basic definition of the types and symptoms of diabetes and then launches into an extensive description of the "exchange" system. It lists the kinds and amounts of food within each exchange. Included are the exchange values of common Mexican foods. Some basic nutrition information about reading food labels and planning meals is included.

Keywords: Diabetes

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $3.95 (book); $16.00 (tape). (discount available for bulk orders).

This 112-page chapter book for adults with limited literacy skills tells the story of Eddie, a man who wakes up from a drunken stupor to find his wife has left him. As the story progresses, Eddie struggles to become sober and rebuild his life. In the process, the author describes Eddie's past and how he became alcoholic. Read-along tapes are available. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Substance abuse

Available from: Pedipress, Inc.; 125 Red Gate Lane; Amherst, MA 01002; phone (413) 549-7798; $5.95.

This pocket-sized, 45-page guide to asthma for patients covers diagnosis and treatment in clear language. Resources for further information are included. The story is available in English or Spanish.

Keywords: Asthma

Available at: http://www2.wgbh.org/MBCWEIS Click on "About MBCWEIS and its partners" then "Haitian Multiservice Center" then "Student Publications"; free.

While the cover of this online booklet of traditional Haitian home remedies says it is "intended to provide the reader with natural alternatives to western medicine," its real value may be as a literacy tool. The 13 remedies, each about one or two paragraphs long, were written by a group of ESOL students, and include the students' memories of how they learned the remedy and how they have used it in the past. While the remedies could spark enthusiastic discussion and writing exercises among students, a cautionary note seems advisable: the authors of these remedies wrote them down for a language class, not as part of a health study. There is no proof of their efficacy or even their safety. Some are in English; some are in Haitian Creole.

Keywords: Alternative medicine / Immigrants

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $4.00 (discount available for bulk orders).

This 32-page booklet is designed for adult ESOL students and adults with limited literacy skills. It tells the story of Pam, a woman who is concerned with the way her husband treats her when he gets upset. Whether his behavior is abusive or not is left for the reader to decide. The booklet also contains a discussion of domestic violence and the cycle of abuse. A few short comprehension activities and information on how to receive help are included. Grade level: 2-3.

Keywords: Domestic violence

Available from: World Education; 44 Farnsworth Street; Boston, MA 02210-1211; phone (617) 482-9485; photo novella $5; guide $6.

This 19-page photonovella was written by a group of ESOL students for other students. The accompanying 11-page teacher's guide, published by the HEAL Project, provides advice on using the material in classroom settings. The photonovella is about Ana, who decides to have a check-up because of her friend Martha's caring and support. Martha has just had her first mammogram, and she encourages Ana to ask her health care provider if she should have one too. The pictures are in black and white. The story is also available in Spanish.

Keywords: Latin Americans / Mammography / Preventive care

Available from: Health Promotion Council of SE Pennsylvania; 311 S. Juniper Street, Room 308; Philadelphia, PA 19107; phone (215) 546-1276; $10.

This 40-page, large print, well-illustrated, Spanish language guide spells out manageable steps for healthy eating. Examples include: eat more fruits and vegetables; eat a variety of foods; and eat less take-out or prepared food. The guide is divided into sections, which are labeled with both letters and illustrations so the sections can be easily found. People can either read one page or one section at a time. Each section includes information for teaching one session or class, but no lesson plans are provided. While the version described here is for Puerto Ricans specifically, the Latino Health Literacy Project produces a second version for Latinos in general. This publication is only available in Spanish.

Keywords: Diabetes

Available from: World Education; 44 Farnsworth Street; Boston, MA 02210-1211; phone (617) 482-9485; $5.

This true short story was written by a GED student as an inspirational piece to encourage other adult education students to have hope, study hard, and take care of their health. It could also be an inspirational piece for patients recently diagnosed with cancer. It describes the process of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. It has large print and includes illustrations that extend the two pages of text over 21 pages. It includes a glossary. It is available in Spanish and in English.

Keywords: Breast cancer

Available from: American Association for the Advancement of Science; 1200 New York Avenue, NW; Washington, DC 20005-3920; phone (202) 326-6670; fax (202) 371-9849; $14.95.

This 58-page, large print, illustrated reader was designed for use in adult basic education settings. Both science advisors and literacy advisors collaborated to create this resource. Topics covered include: how the brain works; what is mental illness; conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and stress; and drugs (including caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, and LSD) and how they affect the brain. It includes a glossary.

Keywords: Anatomy and physiology / Mental health / Substance abuse

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $3.95.

These stories were written for adults with limited literacy skills by other new readers who felt they wanted more interesting stories to read (55 pages total). The authors surveyed students to ask what topics they wanted stories about, the students requested true stories about health. The authors wrote about topics like tuberculosis, arthritis, sickle cell anemia, cancer, heart disease, emotional problems, and coping with death. They chose stories in which all the authors learn to face their problems and get help. The book includes a list of organizations people can turn to for help. Grade level: 1-5 and up.

Keywords: Arthritis / Cardiovascular conditions / Sickle cell anemia / Tuberculosis

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95 (book); $16.00 (tape) (discount available for bulk orders).

This 96-page chapter book was written for adults with limited literacy skills to help them make good choices for their health. Individual chapters cover healthy eating, exercise, keeping your weight down, quitting smoking, handling stress, preventing injury, and some information about working with health care providers. The book includes a glossary and resources to contact for further information. Read-along tapes are available. It was produced in collaboration with the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Exercise / Injuries / Medical care -- Finding and using / Nutrition / Preventive care / Smoking / Stress

Available at: http://www.worlded.org/us/health/docs/Mary/introduction.html; free.

Also available in print from: World Education; 44 Farnsworth Street; Boston, MA 02210-1211; phone (617) 482-9485; $5.

This true short story was written by a GED student about her own experience with cancer of the cervix and fallopian tubes. The author talks about having a hysterectomy despite wanting a child. The story is illustrated with black and white line drawings that extend the approximately two pages of text over an 18-page document. The story includes a glossary. The Web version also includes information about using Mary's story in a classroom.

Keywords: Cervical cancer / Hysterectomy

Available from: New Reader's Press; phone (800) 448-8878; $8.95 (discount for bulk orders).

This 96-page chapter book was written for adults with limited literacy skills. The chapters cover food, exercise, substance abuse, doctor visits, mental health, sexual health, growing older, and violence against women. The calcium intake recommendations are slightly inaccurate, as the National Academy of Sciences increased these in August 1997. Included are phone numbers for more information. This guide was developed with Mary Breen, the author of Taking Care: A Handbook about Women's Health. Grade level: 4-6 and up.

Keywords: Aging / Exercise / Mental health / Smoking / Substance abuse / Women's health

Background Information about Health and Literacy | Materials Development and Assessment
Curricula, Curriculum Guides, and Lessons | Readers (Stories and Factbooks)
Bibliographies and Databases