Have you ever left your doctor's office confused by the advice you were just
given?
At some time or other, most of us have felt limited in our knowledge and
understanding of information related to our health.
Health literacy
Health literacy is a new concept that links our level of literacy with our
ability to act upon health information and, ultimately, take control of our
health. It builds upon the idea that both health and literacy are critical
resources for everyday living.
Addressing health literacy means breaking down the barriers to health that
low literacy creates and finding ways to enable all people to:
- Access the services and supports they need
- Understand and use information to promote their health and prevent
disease
- Make informed health decisions about self-care and treatment of
illness
- Advocate for their own health, as well as that of their family
and community
- Gain greater control over their health and well-being.
Literacy challenges are everyday health challenges
People with limited literacy skills face difficulties in their daily lives,
such as:
- Following instructions for a diabetic diet
- Giving the correct amount of medication to a feverish child
- Determining the amount of sodium or fat from the label of a packaged food
- Preparing infant formula safely and in the proper strength
- Safely operating a kitchen appliance
- Completing a medical form
- Finding a dentist or other health care provider
- Understanding an informed consent form for medical treatment
- Asking for and getting a referral to a specialist
