Health Literacy

Today in class we learned about health literacy and how we can be more aware of it. Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Health literacy is dependent on: communication skills of the client and professionals, professional knowledge of health topics, culture, demands of healthcare and public health systems, and demands of the situation/context.

If a client does not understand what the health care provider said there is a possibility that they could take their medication incorrectly, do therapy exercises incorrectly, go along with a procedure, etc. To "combat" this health care providers must ensure that clients understand their situation, how to treat it, and the next course of action. This can be done by using simple language, pictures/diagrams, asking the client to repeat back what was said in their own words, promoting the asking of questions and by not making individuals feel dumb for asking questions.

When health care providers are aware of health literacy patients can be more informed about their condition, their plan of health, and the stigma of being dumb at the doctors office goes away.