Health literacy, the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand health information and services needed to make health decisions, is an essential element for early adults (aged 18-44 years) to make informed decisions about cancer. Low health literacy is one of the social determinants of health associated with cancer-related disparities. Over the past several years, a nonprofit organization, a university, and a cancer center in a major urban environment have developed and implemented health literacy programs within healthcare systems and in the community. Health system personnel received extensive health literacy training to reduce medical jargon and improve their patient education using plain language easy-to-understand written materials and teach-back, and also designed plain language written materials including visuals to provide more culturally and linguistically appropriate health education and enhance web-based information. Several sustainable health system policy changes occurred over time. At the community level, organizational assessments and peer leader training on health literacy have occurred to reduce communication barriers between consumers and providers. Some of these programs have been cancer specific, including consumer education in such areas as cervical cancer, skin cancer, and breast cancer that are targeted to early adults across the cancer spectrum from prevention to treatment to survivorship. An example of consumer-driven health education that was tested for health literacy using a comic book-style photonovel on breast cancer with an intergenerational family approach for Chinese Americans is provided. Key lessons learned from the health literacy initiatives and overall conclusions of the health literacy initiatives are also summarized.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a higher risk of having obesity than their typically developing peers. Although it has been recommended that health care providers (HCPs) speak to caregivers and children about the risk of higher weights, no research has examined how HCPs communicate weight‐related information. Furthermore, there is a dearth of evidence regarding how to approach and deliver optimal weight‐related discussions among children with ASD and their caregivers. Given these knowledge gaps, 21 in‐depth interviews were conducted with children with ASD, their caregivers, and HCPs. Using a qualitative analytic approach, data from interviews were analyzed thematically. Results suggest that HCPs at times projected weight stigma during clinical encounters, which did not motivate children and caregivers to work toward work loss or wellness. HCPs also described reticence in engaging families in weight‐related conversations due to limited training, and lack of clinical tools to guide these conversations. All stakeholders identified a need to work together to establish a therapeutic partnership to discuss weight‐related issues without blame or shame. The combination of strength‐based communication approaches, establishing a strong therapeutic partnership, and development of clinical tools facilitating weight‐related discussions for HCPs outlined in this article are potential vehicles to foster successful weight‐related discussions while promoting lifelong wellness. Autism Research 2018, 11: 1500–1510. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a higher risk of having obesity. Yet, it is unknown how healthcare providers (HCPs) should deliver weight‐related information. Findings suggest children and caregivers experienced weight stigma and were uncomfortable discussing weight‐related issues. HCPs identified that they did not have sufficient training, and did not feel confident identifying/addressing weight issues. Tools are needed to facilitate weight‐related discussions among children, caregivers and HCPs.

Children with autism spectrum disorders appear to be at a higher risk of having obesity than their typically developing peers. Although it has been recommended that healthcare providers speak to children with autism spectrum disorders about the potential health risks of unhealthy weight, no previous research has explored how healthcare providers communicate with them about this topic. The purpose of this study was to explore children's perspectives and experiences of discussing weight-related topics in healthcare consultations. Eight children were interviewed, and an interpretive phenomenological analysis informed the research approach and analysis of the data. Results indicated that weight-related discussions with healthcare providers were often met with trepidation, anxiety, anger, and frustration. Children also expressed that they experienced weight stigma in clinical visits and everyday interactions. Weight stigma was often (unwittingly) projected by healthcare providers during appointments and had debilitating effects on children. Finally, higher weights emerged as a repetitive/restricted interest, and children reported body image challenges regarding their higher weights. Frameworks and tools that are specific to the needs and abilities of children with autism spectrum disorders are needed for healthcare providers to foster positive conversations about weight-related topics in an effort to promote lifelong wellness.

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