Health Literacy

Question 1

Define health literacy

Answer 1

capacity to understand health information; resources available to help make informed health decisions; capacity to communicate these decisions; health literacy includes (& is influenced by) health behaviours.

Question 2

What is the health system’s perspective on health literacy?

Answer 2

the complexity of the literacy that the consumer must face… depends on complexity of health issue, funding systems, communication skills of professionals, complexity of resources given to consumer.

Question 3

What is the health consumer perspective on health literacy?

Answer 3

Literacy skills and knowledge of health consumer… depends on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and numeracy ability; familiarity with topic; stress consumer is experiencing; time & resources available; and their confidence, attitudes, values & beliefs.

Question 4

Give examples as to how poor health literacy is a barrier to optimal health

Answer 4

1. articles & food labels for health promotion won’t be as understood;
2. safety warning on TV, radio, newspapers, and internet for health protection won’t be as understood;
3. medicine labels, discharge notes and health information for disease prevention won’t be as well understood;
4. informed consent, appointment cards and hospital maps for accessing services won’t be as well understood;
5. nonadherence to medication treatment plans (missed repeats, inappropriate dosage or timing, not recognizing side effects);
6. increased ER costs;
7. and reduced ability to self-manage.

People are expected to monitor and manage their own health;
manage their own medications: interpret, listen, understand, remember, and provide information. Therefore, consequences of poor health literacy are related to poor ability to do the above.