Friday, February 28, 2025
In the ever-evolving and complex health care landscape, ensuring that individuals
can make informed decisions about their health insurance is more important than ever.
Recognizing this need, a collaborative effort between The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Division of Academic Innovation (DAI), the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Center for Health Literacy and funding* from the Network of the National Library of Medicine Region 3 led to
the creation of “Insured and Informed: Your Health Insurance Guide.” This course recently received the prestigious Digital Health Gold Award, a testament
to its impact and effectiveness in addressing a critical knowledge gap.
The inspiration behind the initiative
The project was inspired by personal and professional experiences navigating the complexities of health insurance. Katie Leath, director of the UAMS Center for Health Literacy, recalled struggling to understand health insurance costs when her son was born prematurely. Despite her background in health policy, deciphering insurance terms and costs during a stressful time proved challenging. This experience highlighted a broader issue: Many young adults, particularly those transitioning off their parents’ plans, lack the knowledge to make informed insurance decisions.
“There wasn’t much out there to explain health insurance. We found some materials and assessed them for health literacy and plain language. We found that they didn’t meet the needs, cover the right content and wouldn’t be engaging to this audience,” Leath said.
Brian Leaf, executive director of NNLM Region 3, shared a similar sentiment. “Even providers and health care professionals don’t fully understand how complex the health care system is until they have to use it themselves.” Leaf recounted his own experience of undergoing shoulder surgery, realizing firsthand how difficult it can be to interpret insurance information. “I had just finished taking a health policy course, and I still found it difficult to navigate the system. That really underscored how necessary a resource like this is.”
Building a user-friendly learning module
Leath’s insights, coupled with ongoing discussions with Leaf, led to the proposal of a comprehensive educational module aimed at demystifying health insurance for young adults and first-time insurance seekers. NNLM Region 3 provided funding, recognizing the project’s alignment with its mission to improve public health by increasing access to reliable health information.
UNTHSC's Reagan Laborde, instructional designer at the Division of Academic Innovation
The project began in September 2023, with a team working to develop engaging, accessible content. Reagan Laborde, an instructional designer at DAI, played a pivotal role in structuring the module for clarity and usability. She focused on presenting complex insurance concepts in plain language at a sixth-grade reading level, making the material accessible to a broad audience.
Creating the course was a highly collaborative process, incorporating extensive focus group testing to refine content and delivery. Participants from various educational backgrounds provided feedback, ensuring the module effectively addressed knowledge gaps and resonated with its intended audience.
“Working on this project taught me a lot about the plain language aspect. The people at UAMS were intentional with their focus groups, making sure anyone at any grade level could understand. And we spent a lot of time breaking down things into simple statements,” said Laborde.
UNTHSC's Nicholas Alexander, multimedia production at the Division of Academic Innovation
Meanwhile, Nicholas Alexander and Adam Van Fossen from DAI’s media team spearheaded the multimedia production, infusing dynamic visuals and motion graphics to enhance engagement. Alexander noted how the project expanded his own understanding of health insurance, reinforcing the importance of relatable and clear educational content. The team ensured that the module featured diverse voices and perspectives, with voice work provided by Cindy Edwards, Ed.D., DAI instructional technology specialist, and Stephen McBroom, DAI director of educational media.
UNTHSC's Adam Van Fossen, multimedia production at the Division of Academic Innovation
Impact and recognition
The course launched in January 2024, initially targeting college-aged students through faculty partnerships, integrating the module into academic curricula and interprofessional education programs. Its impact quickly extended beyond university settings, reaching community members through social workers, health care providers and public health initiatives.
UNTHSC's Stephen Mcbroom, Division of Academic Innovation director of educational media
“What’s unique is that we field tested all our materials with community members who are more likely to struggle with health information,” said Leath. “One thing we’ve learned is that people want to know how to compare their options. Healthcare.gov has a module, but it only compares what is online. But what if you want to compare your employer’s insurance to the marketplace?”
UNTHSC's Cynthia Edwards, Division of Academic Innovation instructional technology specialist
Feedback from learners has been overwhelmingly positive. Nearly 200 evaluations have been collected, with users reporting significant improvements in their understanding of health insurance concepts such as copayments, deductibles and the health care marketplace.
Recognition of this project with a Digital Health Gold Award is a milestone that highlights its significance, validates the efforts of the team, elevates the visibility of health literacy initiatives and encourages further investment and expansion. The awards program is organized by the Health Information Resource Center (HIRC), a clearinghouse for professionals who work in consumer health fields. The honor is a first in this category for the UAMS Center for Health Literacy, NNLM and UNTHSC DAI.
“For us [NNLM], this is about more than just an award,” Leaf said. “We’re always looking for ways to help people understand health information, navigate resources and make better-informed decisions. This project exemplifies that mission.”
Future growth and expansion
Looking ahead, the project team is exploring opportunities for growth, including translating the module into Spanish to broaden its accessibility. Discussions are also underway to integrate the course into Community Health Worker training programs to assist individuals in navigating their insurance options.
Beyond the immediate success of the course, this project exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing societal challenges. By combining expertise in health literacy, instructional design and digital media, the team has created a sustainable, impactful educational tool that empowers individuals to take control of their health care decisions.
As this initiative continues to evolve, its legacy will be measured not just by awards but by the lasting impact it has on individuals and communities striving for better health outcomes.
*This work was supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012345 (2023). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
From HSC Newsroom - Education by Susan Young