b'Health Literacy and CommunicationIncrease the degree to which community members canobtain, process, and understand basic health informationProvider Answered Your Questionsand services needed to make appropriate health decisions.2620052.1 Patients Reporting That Health Providers Answered Their Questions 2006Increase the proportion of persons who report that their health care providers answer their questions. 2007Why is this important?Quality interactions between patients and providers increases the likelihood of positive patient outcomes, including both physical and 2008emotional, and can decrease the likelihood of litigation.Keene 0 20 40 60 80Southern Region Percent of AdultsWhere we stand now:Two-thirds of patients rated the their health provider asTargetexcellent at answering questions.Cheshire Countys goal:Seventy percent of patients will report that their experience was excellent. 272.2 Patients Reporting That Health Providers Explain ThingsProvider Explained What Was DoneSo They UnderstandIncrease the proportion of persons who report that their health care providers have satisfactory communication skills 2005Why is this important? Patients want to understand how to take an active role in2006improving their health and they rely upon their health care providers to give themthe information they need to know. When providers and patients share a common2007understanding about diagnoses and treatment choices patients are better able to make informed decisions to manage their health.282008Where we stand now:Close to two-thirds of patients rated their health care Keene 0 20 40 60 80provider as excellent at explaining things understandably. Southern Region Percent of AdultsTargetCheshire Countys goal: Seventy percent of patients will report that their experience was excellent. 29Engaging Our Community In Health 3188222_CMC2.indd 33 2/1/10 12:27 PM'