Triggering the need for wide-scale support, reading literacy has been identified as a social
determinant of student and family health, and one of several economic and social conditions that influence differences in health status. Dr. Albert Mosley, senior vice president and chief mission integration officer at MLH, explains why this is so critical to all families:
"Based on the 2019 TNReady Assessment, about 75% of SCS third graders across the district are not where they need to be with their grade level reading. Third grade reading is a predictor of graduating from high school, and predicts health literacy. If a patient can't fully understand what a doctor is saying and can't accurately take medications, that will have a direct impact on health outcomes. This is why third grade learning is both an education and healthcare issue," states Dr. Mosley.