As a physician I am amazed at the ignorance of the health system, even by my colleagues. Everyone needs to know more, starting as early as possible.

I'm a medical school professor and long-time researcher in the area of health literacy. I've also served as a consultant on health literacy to organizations including the Institute of Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, National Cancer Institute, Joint Commission, American Academy of Family Physicians, and other institutions and organizations. Numerous studies have shown that large portions of the US population have limited health literacy - ie, they are unable to obtain, understand, and use health information to make good decisions about their health. The problem affects all segments of the population. Even well-educated individuals often have limited health literacy. And, numerous studies have shown that individuals with limited health literacy have worse health status, poorer health outcomes, and generate higher health care costs than those with adequate health literacy. Integrating health literacy into your education programs and improving the health literacy of your population could really make a difference. I'm aware that you educational problems include things like anaphylaxis, a problem that few people will ever encounter (either in themselves or others) over the course of their lifetime. Yet national statistics show that only about a third of the US population has adequate health literacy. The remaining two thirds could really benefit from education in this area. Barry D Weiss, Professor University of Arizona College of Medicine

As a general pediatrician practicing in Vienna, I strongly support HB 462. This bill adds practical education on health insurance and health care navigation to middle and high school curricula, helping students understand how to access and use care before they enter adulthood. In my daily work, I see how confusing insurance and health systems can be for families. Teaching students early about copays, deductibles, preventive care, and available resources will help them make informed decisions and avoid delays in care. This supports better health outcomes and stronger use of preventive services. HB 462 also promotes health equity. Not all families have the same access to guidance about insurance and medical systems. Including this education in schools ensures that all students graduate with essential knowledge, regardless of background. By integrating health care literacy into existing financial and health education, this bill prepares students for real-world responsibilities. I strongly urge the General Assembly to support HB 462 for the long-term benefit of Virginia’s children and families.

On behalf of the U.S. Health Literacy Association, I strongly support HB 462 and its requirement to incorporate health literacy education across K–12 curricula. Health literacy is a critical determinant of health, safety, and educational equity. National data consistently demonstrate the urgency of this issue. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Assessment of Adult Literacy, nearly 9 in 10 adults lack proficient health literacy, and only 12% of adults have the skills needed to effectively understand and use health information. Low health literacy is associated with higher rates of preventable illness, increased emergency department use, medication errors, poorer chronic disease outcomes, and significantly higher healthcare costs—estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. These challenges do not begin in adulthood. They are the cumulative result of missed opportunities earlier in life. By embedding health literacy education in K–12 settings, HB 462 addresses this issue upstream—before gaps widen and consequences compound. Teaching students how to access, evaluate, and apply health information supports informed decision-making, strengthens communication skills, and prepares young people to navigate increasingly complex healthcare, public health, and digital information environments. Importantly, health literacy education aligns with educational priorities already valued in our schools, including critical thinking, media literacy, and lifelong learning. In an era marked by widespread health misinformation and rapid integration of digital and AI-enabled health tools, these skills are no longer optional; they are essential. HB 462 represents a forward-thinking, evidence-based investment in students, families, and communities. By ensuring that all students graduate with foundational health literacy skills, this legislation supports improved health outcomes, reduced system burden, and a more informed and resilient population. I respectfully urge lawmakers to support HB 462 and affirm the importance of health literacy as a core component of K–12 education.

Health Literacy (Understanding and communication) and Healthcare Literacy (Utilization and Navigation) as well as digital health literacy is an absolute necessity for responsible citizenship and making important personal healthcare decisions. Promotion of and providing /requiring it in schools is an opportunity to reach all Virigina citizens. Where provided via public education, it has been shown to improve Health outcomes, reduce costs and increase patient satisfaction. Yet evidence-based studies show ONLY 12% of US citizens are "functionally health literate" (thus parents are unlikely to be able, if inclined to do so, to teach the important principles. The WHO and CDC have recommended health literacy education for ALL since the early 2000s. Most would agree that the US healthcare system (industry) requires change and improvement; THIS AMENDMENT IS A KEY OPPORTUNITY to take advantage of the promise of health literacy educations proven benefits. Though Virginia weaves some few elements of "health literacy" through its current professionally developed and taught curriculum in K-12, it should be in a more organized, complete, and continually updated manner as change occurs. Virigina has recognized this in the original HB 462 bill in respect to economics and personal finance and should take national leadership by adopting this Health and healthcare literacy amendment. Time constraints and other factors seriously limit healthcare providers to meaningfully accept these responsibilities. Schools are the arenas where we, in principle, can ensure that ALL of our youth have the opportunity to acquire the appropriate and necessary knowledge and skills expected of Virginians. Respectfully submitted: Fredric Garner, M.D., F.A.A.P,