Literacy is more than the ability to decode words. Indeed, as the summary to the Second Report of the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS): Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society(1) indicates: “Literacy means more than knowing how to read, write or calculate. It involves understanding and being able to use the information required to function effectively.”

This has some important implications:

• Literacy is a moving target. As the Second IALS Report indicates: “While most people can read, the real question is whether their reading and writing skills meet the challenge of living and working in today’s . . . society.” As the demands of society change, so do the necessary literacy skills required to function.

• Literacy involves comprehension and understanding — not only of the written word, but also of the spoken word. Literacy, for example, is a key factor in the ability to understand and to be able to act upon verbal directions from health professionals, e.g. doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists and others.

• Literacy skills enhance flexibility. They enable people to deal with change and with unfamiliar contexts.

As we shall see later, these factors are all closely related to health.

1 Published by the National Literacy Secretariat, Human Resources Development Canada and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, 1997.