The Importance of Health Literacy

Hello Dazzle! Thanks for coming and hanging out with me today, I’m glad that you are here. Today we are going to talk about something essential yet often overlooked in our daily lives: health literacy. Now, this isn’t a dry lecture on medical terms or complicated jargon—it’s about empowering ourselves to navigate health information with confidence and purpose. So, let’s dive in!

What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy is all about being able to understand, access, and use health information to make the best decisions for ourselves. But it’s so much more than just knowing a few medical terms! It’s about being comfortable with our health information, whether we’re figuring out treatment options, planning for preventive care, or even navigating mental health resources. Think of it as a toolkit that helps us ask better questions and feel more in control, no matter where we are in our health journey. Health literacy gives us the confidence to take an active role in our care, helping us understand the “why” behind what doctors recommend so that we can make choices that feel right for us.

Why Health Literacy Matters

Having strong health literacy makes a big difference in how we manage our own health. People who are more health-literate are usually quicker to spot when something’s off with their body, are proactive about preventive care, and make choices that lead to better health outcomes overall. On the flip side, low health literacy can lead to some real problems. Imagine not fully understanding how to take a prescription or missing the importance of a follow-up appointment—small misunderstandings like these can lead to big issues, like a missed diagnosis or even harmful side effects from medications. When we understand health information better, we’re in a stronger position to avoid these pitfalls and take charge of our well-being.

Health Literacy and Self-Advocacy

Health literacy and self-advocacy go hand in hand. When we truly understand our health information, we’re in a much better position to ask the right questions, get the clarity we need, and make sure our voice is heard. It’s empowering because it lets us take an active role in our care rather than just going along with whatever’s suggested. Plus, when we can understand how different treatment options match up with our personal goals and values, we’re more likely to end up with care that fits who we are and what we actually want. This kind of self-advocacy also improves our health outcomes—when we communicate openly with healthcare providers, there’s less room for misunderstanding and more opportunity for accurate, effective care that really addresses our needs.

How Health Literacy Reduces Healthcare Disparities

Improving health literacy is a powerful way to help bridge healthcare disparities because it gives everyone, regardless of background, the tools they need to take control of their health. For instance, understanding consent forms means people can make more informed decisions about their treatments without feeling pressured or unsure. Knowing how to navigate insurance terms can mean the difference between paying out of pocket for care and getting costs covered. Even learning how to find reliable health information online can be a game-changer—it helps people get answers outside of a doctor’s office, giving them more confidence and control over their health. When health literacy levels rise, it levels the playing field, giving everyone the chance to make informed decisions, stay proactive, and access the care they deserve.

Ways to Improve Health Literacy in Daily Life

There are plenty of ways to boost our health literacy and feel more in control of our healthcare journey! One great start is keeping a health journal where you jot down symptoms, questions, or things you want to remember to discuss at your next appointment. Taking this journal to appointments with you will also give you a place to take notes while you are discussing things with the provider. When you go to appointments, consider bringing along a healthcare advocate—a friend or family member who can help keep you focused, take notes, and clarify anything you might miss. They’re also a handy second memory for you after the appointment!

Don’t be shy about asking your healthcare providers for educational material. Many offices have pamphlets, visual aids, or online resources tailored to different learning styles. Whether it’s a workshop, support group, or just asking for a handout, there are resources out there to help you learn more about your diagnosis and manage your health with confidence. If you prefer digital info, there are tons of reputable health websites that break down medical terms and explain things in simple language. Keep in mind that every pharmacy has a pharmacist available to answer questions and provide teaching about your medications if you need it. This is a great service to access when you are started on a new medication. Additionally, some doctor’s offices have RNs that you can schedule an appointment with for education. This can be in regards to a diagnosis or a new medication or general health. And some health insurances even cover these educational appointments.

The Role of Technology in Health Literacy

In today’s digital age, health tech is making it easier than ever to stay on top of our health. Apps and online portals let us access personal health information in just a few clicks, whether it’s checking lab results, tracking medications, or even scheduling appointments. Telemedicine platforms also bring healthcare right to our homes, making it more convenient to consult with a provider without the need to travel. This kind of access is a game-changer for understanding and managing our health because it keeps all our information organized, easy to find, and available anytime we need it. With health tech expanding every day, staying informed and in control of our health has never been so within reach!

Conclusion

Health literacy might seem like a big topic, but it’s really about knowing how to care for yourself and make informed choices. It’s about learning about the medical topics that are relevant to your care. Well, that’s about it for my rambling today. Thanks for coming and spending some time with me. If you like what you read, click on that like button. It really does help! Until we talk again, you take care of yourselves!

References and Further Reading

1. Nutbeam D, Lloyd JE. Understanding and Responding to Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health. Annu Rev Public Health. 2021 Apr 1;42:159-173. doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-102529. Epub 2021 Oct 9. PMID: 33035427.
2. Hasannejadasl H, Roumen C, Smit Y, Dekker A, Fijten R. Health Literacy and eHealth: Challenges and Strategies. JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2022 Sep;6:e2200005. doi: 10.1200/CCI.22.00005. PMID: 36194843.
3. Kim K, Shin S, Kim S, Lee E. The Relation Between eHealth Literacy and Health-Related Behaviors: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2023 Jan 30;25:e40778. doi: 10.2196/40778. PMID: 36716080; PMCID: PMC9926349.
4. Yang K, Hu Y, Qi H. Digital Health Literacy: Bibliometric Analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2022 Jul 6;24(7):e35816. doi: 10.2196/35816. PMID: 35793141; PMCID: PMC9301558.
5. Estrela M, Semedo G, Roque F, Ferreira PL, Herdeiro MT. Sociodemographic determinants of digital health literacy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Med Inform. 2023 Sep;177:105124. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2023.105124. Epub 2023 Jun 10. PMID: 37329766.
6. Liu C, Wang D, Liu C, Jiang J, Wang X, Chen H, Ju X, Zhang X. What is the meaning of health literacy? A systematic review and qualitative synthesis. Fam Med Community Health. 2020 May;8(2):e000351. doi: 10.1136/fmch-2020-000351. PMID: 32414834; PMCID: PMC7239702.
7. Oliffe JL, Rossnagel E, Kelly MT, Bottorff JL, Seaton C, Darroch F. Men’s health literacy: a review and recommendations. Health Promot Int. 2020 Oct 1;35(5):1037-1051. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daz077. PMID: 31557281; PMCID: PMC7585483.
8. Kendir C, Breton E. Health Literacy: From a Property of Individuals to One of Communities. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Mar 2;17(5):1601. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17051601. PMID: 32131441; PMCID: PMC7084319.
9. Shikha D, Kushwaha P, Gokdemir O, Marzo RR, Bhattacharya S. Editorial: Health literacy and disease prevention. Front Public Health. 2023 Mar 28;11:1128257. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1128257. PMID: 37056654; PMCID: PMC10089369.
10. Cesar FCR, Moraes KL, Brasil VV, Alves AG, Barbosa MA, Oliveira LMAC. Professional Responsiveness to Health Literacy: A Scoping Review. Health Lit Res Pract. 2022 Apr;6(2):e96-e103. doi: 10.3928/24748307-20220418-02. Epub 2022 May 6. PMID: 35522856; PMCID: PMC9126054.
11. Chen KA, Kapadia MR. Health literacy disparities: Communication strategies to narrow the gap. Am J Surg. 2022 Jun;223(6):1046. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.11.035. Epub 2021 Dec 2. PMID: 34887018; PMCID: PMC10184790.
12. Dadaczynski K, Sykes S, Bíró É, Kósa K. Editorial: The Social-Ecological Context of Health Literacy. Front Public Health. 2022 Apr 26;10:897717. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.897717. PMID: 35558540; PMCID: PMC9087034.
13. Mor-Anavy S, Lev-Ari S, Levin-Zamir D. Health Literacy, Primary Care Health Care Providers, and Communication. Health Lit Res Pract. 2021 Jul;5(3):e194-e200. doi: 10.3928/24748307-20210529-01. Epub 2021 Jul 15. PMID: 34260319; PMCID: PMC8279021.
14. Nutbeam D. Improving health literacy: how to succeed. Public Health Res Pract. 2023 Mar 15;33(1):3312301. doi: 10.17061/phrp3312301. PMID: 36918396.
15. Yagi BF, Luster JE, Scherer AM, Farron MR, Smith JE, Tipirneni R. Association of Health Insurance Literacy with Health Care Utilization: a Systematic Review. J Gen Intern Med. 2022 Feb;37(2):375-389. doi: 10.1007/s11606-021-06819-0. Epub 2021 May 23. PMID: 34027605; PMCID: PMC8141365.
16. Ancker JS, Grossman LV, Benda NC. Health Literacy 2030: Is It Time to Redefine the Term? J Gen Intern Med. 2020 Aug;35(8):2427-2430. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05472-y. Epub 2019 Oct 28. PMID: 31659662; PMCID: PMC7403287.