LCMC Health and City of New Orleans Department of Health launch exclusive health literacy partnership

Be in the KNOW educates individuals and empowers communities for better health

New Orleans, LA – Today, LCMC Health is excited to announce a partnership with the City of New Orleans Health Department to address health literacy, enhance cultural competency, and continue to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates with a new program – Be in the KNOW. This citywide initiative will educate locals on the importance of healthcare advocacy and aims to empower communities for better health.

April is National Minority Health Month, four weeks dedicated to raising awareness of health disparities that continue to affect underserved communities. Historically, many minority communities have expressed an overall lack of trust in hospitals and health systems. In order to continue building trust, and eventually stronger, healthier communities, LCMC Health and the New Orleans Health Department is encouraging individuals and caregivers to take action through health education and community collaboration to increase health literacy in the greater New Orleans area and neighboring communities.

“LCMC Health is proud to kick-off our partnership with the City of New Orleans Health Department during National Minority Health Month to address the needs of our community,” said Dr. Toni Flowers, LCMC Health Chief Diversity and Social Responsibility Officer. “Health equity and health literacy are serious concerns that require caring and smart collaboration. Through this partnership, we will provide our community with the proper tools and resources needed to advocate for better health.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty comprehending everyday health information that is routinely available in healthcare facilities, retail outlets, media, and communities. The Be in the KNOW partnership will not only empower patients with educational resources, but also offer training to enhance the skill sets of healthcare providers.

This exclusive partnership will support the “Advancing Health Literacy in Racial & Ethic Communities in Response to COVID-19 in Orleans Parish” grant awarded to the City of New Orleans by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. The grant and partnership centers on community outreach and engagement to empower the community’s health through the use of grassroots health education, motivational interviewing, and health literacy by providing videos, handouts, and additional support and access needed for community members to take ownership of their health. The grant and partnership will provide educational tools including videos, handouts, and additional support and access needed for community members to take ownership of their health.

"Eliminating health inequities is inextricably connected to the economic growth of the city of New Orleans. Empowering communities, assuring a culturally and linguistically competent workforce, and providing safe, accurate information to patients are all necessary to advance equity and preserve culture.”, said Dr. Torrie T. Harris, Health Equity Strategist for the New Orleans Department of Health and Principal Investigator of the Advancing Health Literacy Grant. “Aligning partners that are already embedded in the New Orleans community will uplift and renew a commitment to the community's health. Assuring a healthy person, neighborhood, workplace, and community as we age and raise-up the next generation of New Orleanians is a path to equity."

This partnership aims to enhance patient and provider communication, increase health literacy in the City of New Orleans, adhere to the COVID-19 health practices of underserved communities, and address class standards training.