Ep. 19. Biomedical Science Literacy Action Plan for America

Biomedical science literacy,

the ability to find, understand, analyze, and use information to make informed decisions about health and medicine, is a critical determinant of individual and public health in the United States. Current assessments reveal significant gaps in this literacy across the American populace, with notable disparities linked to education, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. These deficiencies are compounded by a complex information environment, the proliferation of misinformation, and systemic challenges within the biomedical research and healthcare enterprises. This report outlines a multi-faceted action plan designed to elevate national biomedical science literacy.

The plan is built upon five strategic pillars: transforming K-12 education to build foundational understanding; advancing literacy in higher education beyond STEM majors; expanding horizons through informal learning and public engagement; mastering science communication across media and public dialogue; and empowering healthcare professionals as catalysts for literacy. For each pillar, specific, evidence-informed strategies are proposed for key stakeholders, including governmental bodies, educational institutions, media organizations, healthcare systems, and community entities. The plan emphasizes the need for a coordinated national strategy, increased and targeted funding, policy coherence, and a robust framework for monitoring and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement and cultivate a future where all Americans can make informed health decisions and meaningfully engage with scientific advancements.

A comprehensive understanding of the current state of biomedical science literacy in the United States is foundational to developing effective strategies for its enhancement. This involves defining the concept, assessing current literacy levels, identifying knowledge gaps and demographic disparities, understanding how the public accesses and engages with scientific information, and acknowledging the pervasive challenge of misinformation.

Defining and Measuring Literacy: Biomedical Science, General Science, and Health Literacy

Biomedical science itself is a broad discipline underpinning much of modern medicine, from diagnosing diseases by analyzing patient samples to evaluating treatment efficacy. Consequently, biomedical science literacy encompasses the ability to find, use, and understand science within this medical context, including the capacity to analyze current controversial scientific issues encountered in news and daily life. It does not necessarily require in-depth expert knowledge but rather a functional understanding. This aligns with broader definitions of science literacy, which emphasize a general ability to engage with scientific concepts, understand the scientific method (observation, questioning, hypothesis, experimentation, analysis), and critically evaluate information.

Closely related and often overlapping is health literacy. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) defined health literacy as “the ability of US adults to use printed and written health-related information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential”. This definition emphasizes the functional application of written information. The NAAL further breaks down literacy into three types:

* Prose literacy: Understanding and using information from continuous texts like brochures or instructional materials.

* Document literacy: Reviewing and using information from non-continuous texts such as forms, maps, or nutrition labels.

* Quantitative literacy: Utilizing numerical information embedded in texts for tasks like calculating medication dosages or understanding health statistics.