Easy-to-Read Health Books Reach Three Million in Sales

LA HABRA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), a not-for-profit healthcare organization that publishes its own book series, has achieved an enviable three million in book sales with its "What To Do For Health" book series. By comparison, the top-selling hardback nonfiction book for 2009 sold 2.7 million.*

The books provide easy-to-read health information for the large segment of the public that reads at a third- to fifth-grade reading level. The series of books is designed to help people with weak literacy skills more effectively use the healthcare system.

These unique books fill a generally unrecognized need: Studies have shown that more than one-third of adults have limited health literacy skills, and have trouble reading and writing above a fifth-grade level. This presents difficulty in effectively navigating our often formidable healthcare system.

The majority of the books in the series are sold to healthcare providers who interact with underserved patients on a regular basis. Nationwide, studies have shown that giving parents a copy of one book in the series, What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick, and training them in its use, reduced hospital emergency room visits by more than 50% and doctor visits by more than 40%. The books are available in several languages, including English and Spanish, and are updates regularly.

IHA has also developed a major international continuing-education conference to help professionals address the problem of low health literacy. Additionally, IHA performs rewriting resources for providers, hospital and insurance companies.

IHA is located in La Habra, California, and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public charity, dedicated to empowering people to better health. It is nationally recognized as a leader in health literacy and health education information through its various publishing efforts, the Internet, and national health literacy conference. To find out more about the "What To Do For Health" book series, as well as other IHA programs, please visit www.iha4health.org or call (800) 434-4633.

*www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/42534-the-view-from-the-top.html

SOURCE Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA)