Center for Health Literacy Launches Health Literacy Maryland

The SPH's Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy initiated the launch of Health Literacy Maryland, a June 1 and 2 conference dedicated to discussing the steps needed to create a statewide coalition on health literacy.

The event was highlighted by the announcement of the Rima E. Rudd Emerging Health Literacy Scholar Award, a doctoral fellowship named after the conference’s keynote speaker Dr. Rima E. Rudd.

Dr. Rudd is a Visiting Senior Scholar at the Horowitz Center and is a Senior Lecturer on Society, Human Development, and Health at the Harvard School of Public Health. She is internationally known for her work on health communication and the design and evaluation of public health programs.

Former University of Maryland President Dan Mote announced the fellowship and said, “this naming honors her vision, commitment, national and international scholarship and mentorship in the field of Health Literacy.”

Dr. Bonnie Braun, the endowed chair and director of the Horowitz Center said, "Part of the Horowitz Center's mission is to educate tomorrow's workforce. This fellowship will help us attract doctoral students in advancing health literacy science as part of their dissertation.” 

Health literacy stakeholders from across Maryland came together at the event to discuss the future of health literacy in Maryland. Dr. Rudd spoke during the opening session on “Why A Focus on Health Literacy? Why Now? Why a Health Literacy Maryland?" She was followed by Dr. Cynthia Baur, the director of health communication and marketing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Baur addressed how national goals on improving health literacy can be addressed in Maryland. Participants discussed the use of the National Health Literacy Action Plan and strategic actions needed to create a successful and sustainable coalition in Maryland. 

Dr. Alice Horowitz, as the closing speaker, described how Maryland is leading the way in oral health literacy. Speaking to the results of the two days, Dr. Braun said, "Clearly attendees were enthusiastic and committed to launching some kind of collaborative partnership to help improve health outcomes through health literacy.

The Horowitz Center is endowed and named to honor the legacy of Dr. Herschel S. Horowitz, scientist, educator, and public health advocate. Dr. Horowitz believed that researchers had a responsibility to communicate risks to health, promote methods of maintaining health, generate healthy policies for the community, educate communities, and serve as expert witnesses where necessary. 

The Center was established with a gift from Dr. Alice M. Horowitz and family, and is part of the Dean's Office of the University of Maryland College Park, School of Public Health.

Professor Rima Rudd (center) flanked by Dean Robert Gold, Carlessia Hussein, Alice Horowitz, Rudd, Cynthia Bauer, Former UMD President Dan Mote, and Center Director Bonnie Braun at the event.