SALUD Y BIENESTAR | 5 de octubre de 2026
Health Literacy Featured

Healthcare can be complicated.

You may leave an appointment wondering what a medical term means, how to take a new medication, whether you need to see another provider or what you should do next. You may also be trying to understand insurance coverage, schedule multiple appointments or manage several health concerns at the same time.

That is where health literacy matters.

What Is Health Literacy?

Health literacy is the ability to find, understand and use health information and services to make informed decisions about your health. But being health literate does not mean you need to know everything about medicine. It means having access to information you can understand, feeling comfortable asking questions and knowing where to turn when you need help.

At Pillar Health and Kenosha Community Health Center (KCHC), we believe patients should be active participants in their healthcare. Our integrated approach brings medical, dental and behavioral health services together with additional support and resources to help individuals and families throughout Southeast Wisconsin better understand and manage their health.

Health literacy comes into play almost every time you interact with the healthcare system.

It can include understanding:

  • Why your provider recommends a screening or test
  • How and when to take a medication
  • What your blood pressure, cholesterol or lab results mean
  • When symptoms can be managed at home and when you should contact a healthcare provider
  • Why regular dental care is important to your overall health
  • The difference between therapy and psychiatry
  • How to schedule an appointment with the right provider
  • What preventive care you or your children may need
  • How insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or a Sliding Fee Discount Program works
  • Where to find additional community resources when something outside the doctor’s office is affecting your health

When people understand their health information and their options, they are better equipped to ask questions, participate in decisions and follow their care plan.

Your Health Is More Than One Appointment

Understanding your health also means recognizing that different aspects of your well-being are connected.

Your physical health can affect your mental health. Mental health concerns can influence sleep, relationships, work and your ability to manage chronic conditions. Oral health can provide important clues about overall health. Financial concerns, transportation, food access and other everyday challenges can also affect whether someone is able to get the care they need.

That is why Pillar Health and KCHC use an integrated, patient-centered approach to care.

Rather than treating each health concern in isolation, our care teams can help patients address multiple aspects of their health through one healthcare organization.

Regular medical care provides an opportunity to prevent illness, identify health concerns early and manage ongoing conditions.

Pillar Health and KCHC medical services include primary care and family medicine, pediatric care, preventive screenings, immunizations, lab services, family planning, telehealth and other services designed to support patients throughout different stages of life.

Your primary care provider can also be an important starting point when you are unsure what type of care you need.

Your mouth is part of your body, and oral health is an important component of overall wellness.

Through servicios dentales, Pillar Health and KCHC provide preventive and general dental care for children and adults, including dental hygiene services and oral health education.

Regular dental visits can help prevent problems and identify concerns before they become more serious. Dental providers can also help patients understand how daily habits, health conditions and preventive care affect their teeth and gums.

Mental and emotional health deserve the same attention as physical health.

Pillar Health and KCHC offer comprehensive servicios de salud conductual for children, adolescents and adults, with providers who work collaboratively to support each patient’s individual needs and goals.

Services include counseling and therapy for concerns such as anxiety, depression and trauma, as well as other specialized approaches

Behavioral health care includes both psychotherapy and psychiatry, two services that can work independently or together depending on a patient’s needs.

Psychotherapy services can help individuals address emotional challenges, stressful life events, trauma, loss, relationships and mental health conditions through individual, couples or group therapy.

Psychiatry services focus on the evaluation, diagnosis and medical treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral health conditions. Psychiatric care may include comprehensive evaluations and medication management when appropriate.

For some patients, therapy may be the right approach. Others may benefit from psychiatric care or a combination of therapy, medication and support from their medical provider. An integrated care team can help patients understand those options and determine appropriate next steps.

What Does Wraparound Care Mean?

Good healthcare does not stop when an appointment ends.

Pillar Health and KCHC’s integrated model is designed to look at the whole person and the social and economic factors that can influence their ability to be healthy.

Through Navegación Pillar, patients can receive additional help understanding and navigating healthcare and community resources

  • Nursing care coordination and help following an individualized plan of care
  • Help understanding healthcare affordability and insurance
  • Medicaid and Marketplace enrollment guidance
  • Guidance on accessing affordable medications
  • Connections for housing and rent assistance
  • Connections to healthy food resources
  • Transportation assistance
  • Coordination of behavioral health appointments
  • Connections to community programs and resources

Pillar Health and KCHC’s care coordination model can bring medical, dental and behavioral health needs into one patient-centered care plan.

This type of coordinated care is especially important for people managing multiple health conditions or facing barriers that make accessing healthcare more difficult.

One Care Team. Many Ways to Support Your Health.

Health literacy is not just a patient’s responsibility. Healthcare organizations and providers also have a responsibility to make health information easier to access, understand and use. Pillar Health and KCHC offers interpretation services along with bilingual materials in both English and Spanish.

At Pillar Health and KCHC, our mission is to provide patient-centered, integrated healthcare with excellence in access, quality and service for everyone.

That means helping patients understand their options and connecting them with the right resources, whether they need a medical provider, dentist, therapist, psychiatric provider or additional help navigating their care.

Explore all Pillar Health and KCHC services o en el find a provider to learn more.

Ready to schedule an appointment? Call 262-656-0044.

Pillar Health and Kenosha Community Health Center provide medical, dental and behavioral healthcare for individuals and families throughout Kenosha, Racine, Silver Lake and Southeast Wisconsin.

Asking Questions Is Part of Taking Care of Your Health

One of the simplest ways to improve your health literacy is to ask questions.

Before leaving an appointment, make sure you understand:

What is my main health concern?
Ask your provider to explain a diagnosis, test result or recommendation in terms that make sense to you.

What do I need to do next?
Know whether you need medication, testing, another appointment, a referral or changes to your daily routine.

Why is this important?
Understanding the reason behind a recommendation can make it easier to participate in your care.

Who should I contact if I have questions?
Know where to turn if something changes or you do not understand your instructions.

It is always appropriate to ask a healthcare provider to explain something differently, repeat information or write down important instructions.

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