Students Using Technology in Grand Haven Area Public Schools in Michigan
Health literacy is a significant problem in the United States and around the World. Social Media and advances in online video have created new opportunities for physicians to better educate their patients. Patients are increasingly turning to internet based resources to better understand their medical conditions and treatment options.
Technology as a Link to Literacy and Improved Healthcare
In order to take advantage of these new resources, however, patients are going to have to be technologically savvy, and possess strong reading and writing skills. Unfortunately, this exciting opportunity to improve health literacy comes at a time when public schools across the nation are struggling from a lack of funding support.
In Michigan, where I practice, current k-12 funding levels are the same as they were back in 2005-2006. Meanwhile, the costs of educating students continues to rise. Inner city school districts were first to be affected. Now, even well managed school districts in affluent communities are facing significant budget deficits.
Grand Haven Area Public School (GHAPS) District is a good example of a local school system dealing with this formidable challenge. Grand Haven High School has consistently ranked in the top 6 percent of public high schools in the Nation, and the top 3 percent of high schools in Michigan. The district excels in both academic and extracurricular programs.
Deficits Despite Cost Cuts
Over the years, in order to maintain its educational programs, the district has dramatically cut costs, and sought new sources of revenue. Over the past five years, the district has been able to save $1.1M in energy costs from investing in energy efficient boilers, windows, and doors. The district has also made significant efforts to generate revenue beyond what it receives from the legislature. GHAPS currently contracts with the City of Grand Haven to service their information technology needs. In addition, the GHAPS district sells fuel to Harbor Transit, the City of Grand Haven’s public transportation network.
Unfortunately, despite careful management and planning, the district still faces a $3 million deficit for the 2013-2014 school year. Unless the State of Michigan increases K-12 funding, teachers will be laid off, class sizes will increase, and ultimately school programs will need to be cut. These changes will undoubtedly have a direct impact on learning in the classroom.
Health Literacy is Critical
Health literacy affects people’s ability to understand mathematical concepts such as probability and risk.
Health literacy is critical if we want our patients to be informed about their diagnosis and treatment options. It is also critical if we expect patients to be compliant with their treatment. Increased compliance will not only lead to better outcomes, but also decrease health care costs.
It is now possible to leverage social media and online video to improve health literacy, and as a result, reduce health care costs. To do this, however, k-12 public education needs to be appropriately funded, so that schools can effectively do their part to educate all of our children.
A list of references in “Public School Funding Affects the Future of Health Literacy.”
I appreciate Dr. Stork linking well-funded schools to a healthy society. Schools are asked to raise the standards on literacy. This is important, not only so students will be career and college ready but so they can be healthy and contribute to lowering the cost of health care. This example underscores investing in education. Funding education appropriately saves money in the long run.
Dr. Stork,
Thank you for your passion for education both in social media and the public schools. Another benefit of using social media for health literacy is that when physicians like you use this tool well it builds community and helps patients begin to get to know you before they even enter your office.
When we can begin to build community even through wires it makes it so much easier to ask questions. For both adults and children it can be hard to ask questions. When we feel comfortable asking questions this can have a huge impact on our compliance.
Again, Thank you for your continued service.
Lisa Fields
Dr. Stork,
Thank you for bringing such an important issue into awareness. I am a teacher, and I can say first hand that our students need more. They need more hands on use with technology, more practice with literacy and writing, and more hands on science and math! We are moving from teaching students what to know {just google it!} to teaching kids how to use what they know. We need more educated voices in the community, as well as engineers, doctors, and community leaders. We can only achieve that through educating our children. Thanks again for this wonderful post.
Yours Truly,
Ashley Martinus
Dr. Stork,
This is an excellent post connecting the lack of funding for public education to the future health literacy of our children. We need physicians and other medical providers on this! Thank you for posting.
Advocates for health literacy and the education of children are most important in today’s changing environment. Funding for education to effect health literacy is at a cross road in our economic environment. When tax payers have less to give, the emphasis for literacy in the education of our children needs strong awareness, advocacy and successful communication. Thank you for significantly raising awareness with your well written article.
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