Advancing health literacy for better health outcomes with Sharecare’s Health Profile
Many people make poor health choices simply because they’re unsure where to go or what to do. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly nine out of 10 adults in the United States have poor health literacy, defined as an individual’s ability to find, understand, and use health information and services to make informed decisions for themselves and others. As you might expect, low health literacy rates often lead to poorer health outcomes and inefficient use of services.
While Health Literacy Month is observed annually every October, the need for clear, accessible health information is ongoing every day – because when people can easily understand their health information, they’re better equipped to make informed choices, feel in control of their health, and take action to improve their well-being. At Sharecare, we believe everyone should feel informed, involved, and empowered when it comes to their health, thus our fierce commitment to improving health literacy, which inspired the design and development of one of the core features of Sharecare’s platform for employer and commercial health plan populations: the Health Profile.
Personalized to each individual member, the Health Profile is a secure, central place to store and access their biometrics and health data at any time, as well as easily connect to the information, evidence-based programs, and health professionals they need to live their healthiest, happiest, and most productive lives. Available through the Sharecare app under “You,” the Health Profile simplifies access to health data and decision-making in the following ways:
- Brings together data from disparate sources: Utilizing automatically synced data from health insurance claims and self-reported inputs, at Health Profile > Records, Sharecare housesa member’s crucial health information, including allergies, biometrics, conditions, immunizations, lab results, and procedures. This makes it easy for members to track their health over time without going to multiple platforms for timely information. With everything in one convenient location, members can quickly access details such as the date of their last flu shot or recent cholesterol levels.
- Provides crucial information about members’ medications: Under Health Profile > Current Care > Medications, members will find important information like side effects, potential interactions, and instructions for missed doses. Medications can be added automatically through pharmacy benefits or manually using an easy medication scanning feature, which works for both prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
- Simplifies care navigation: At Health Profile > Current Care > Care Team, members can quickly access information for all their healthcare providers, including specialists, enabling easy access to contact details for questions or appointment scheduling.
- Drives the right preventative actions: Through Health Profile > Current Care > Care Guides, members are alerted when it’s time for important preventive screenings such as mammograms or colorectal cancer checks, helping them stay proactive about essential health measures.
- Manages care for the whole family: Members can also create additional health profiles for dependents and other loved ones, simplifying caregiver access to health records, medications, and more.
Understanding your personal health information is an important first step in health literacy, but it’s about more than just understanding—it’s about taking action. Sharecare is here to support you in understanding what the next best step is for your personal health journey and making those actions count. Whether you’re looking to understand a new diagnosis, make lifestyle changes, or simply learn more about your overall well-being, our platform is designed to help you succeed.
