Low health literacy is a societal problem, the significance of which has been increasingly recognized in recent years by the United States healthcare community and the federal government. However, its implications have thus far garnered little attention in the field of social work. This paper examines commonly accepted definitions of health literacy and their appropriateness for the social work field. Occurrences of low health literacy in clinical settings will be examined and analysis provided as to how the social work field already addresses or might better address health literacy issues in social work training and service provision. Finally, ways in which social work can further and more formally represent client needs in cross-disciplinary efforts to address problems Will be examined. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for Literacy Education) (Author/VWL)