The two-day summit will convene health professionals to discuss advancing health literacy and improving patient outcomes.
UNT Health Fort Worth is hosting the national 2026 Health Literacy Collaborative Summit on April 23 and 24, bringing together health professionals, researchers and community leaders from across the country to discuss increasing health literacy and enhancing health outcomes. The two-day summit will focus on this year’s theme, “Reimagining Health Literacy: New Paths, Collective Purpose,” and will highlight innovative strategies to help individuals better access, understand and use health information. The event is hosted in partnership with the multistate Health Literacy Collaborative, with support from Health Literacy Media and the United States Health Literacy Association.
“Health literacy is foundational to improving health outcomes and advancing health equity,” said Teresa Wagner, DrPH, associate professor in UNT Health’s College of Public Health and one of the conference organizers. “By bringing together our interprofessional colleagues from across the country working in the health literacy space, this summit creates an opportunity to share practical strategies that help people better understand their health and make informed decisions. We’re proud to host this collaborative effort at UNT Health and support work that has a direct impact on our communities.” The summit will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, poster presentations and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across disciplines. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies, share best practices and develop actionable plans to improve health literacy in their organizations and communities. Attendees will include college students, and professionals from healthcare, public health, community organizations, libraries, health technology and other sectors, reflecting the collaborative nature of health literacy work.
In addition to professional development opportunities, participants may earn up to 12 continuing education credits, pending approval from credentialing organizations. Health literacy is the ability of individuals to find, understand and use health information and services to make informed health decisions for themselves and others. It plays a critical role in patient outcomes, health equity and overall community well-being. The summit is designed to equip professionals with the tools needed to communicate more effectively and support informed health decisions.
“The Health Literacy Collaborative Summit is more than just a conference; it’s a catalyst for nationwide community impact,” said Karen Komondor, president of the U.S. Health Literacy Association. “What happens here reaches into communities, health systems, classrooms and policy discussions across the country. By bringing together professionals from various fields, the summit turns ideas into action, giving people the tools, partnerships and strategies needed to make health information clear, accessible and truly usable so people can better navigate their health and care. When we improve health literacy at the community level, we improve the health of the nation.”
The Health Literacy Collaborative Summit builds on a long-standing tradition of bringing together interprofessional experts to share strategies that support individuals, families and communities. The collaborative model, launched in 2024, has expanded participation across multiple states and continues to grow as a national platform for advancing health literacy. The summit will take place at UNT Health, 1000 Montgomery St. in Fort Worth. Registration is open. For more information or to register, visit healthliteracycollaborative.org.
About UNT Health UNT Health Fort Worth is located in the heart of the Fort Worth Cultural District. UNT Health trains the health care providers, public health workforce and scientists of the future in an interprofessional ecosystem. Through its six colleges—Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, College of Public Health, College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy and College of Nursing—students learn to work in teams and develop an innovative mindset that prepares them for a rapidly changing health landscape. UNT Health Clinical Practice Group, the clinical enterprise of UNT Health, provides patient-centered care to people across Tarrant County. UNT Health’s research enterprise provides a foundation to expand the frontiers of scientific discovery to improve health and well-being.
