The book starts by providing an organizing framework for bridging health promotion and education with greater patient/public health knowledge and informed decision making.  Readers are provided with foundational knowledge of health literacy from a public health perspective, general principles about language and literacy, and the role of mass media. Case studies provide the opportunity to link general literacy, science literacy, civic literacy, cultural literacy, and mass media into a practical understanding of health literacy. Guidelines in the creation and evaluation of materials provide the necessary tools for putting the book's lessons into practice.

 The book is divided into four sections: Modeling health literacy (four chapters), Case Studies (six chapters), and guidelines on developing health materials and evaluating health programs. 

 The basis outline is:

 •       Health literacy and why it's a public health issue

•       Defining health literacy

•       Language and literacy

•       The mass media

•       Case studies:

     Highlighting the role of Fundamental Literacy

    Highlighting the Role of Science Literacy

    Highlighting the Media

    Highlighting the Role of Civic Literacy

    Highlighting the role of Cultural Literacy

 •       Guidelines for Program evaluation

•       Guidelines for Creating Health Information Materials

   Each chapter ends with exercises to drive home the lesson of the chapter. The case studies include case summaries as well.