HEALTH LITERACY
What is Health Literacy?
Health literacy is understanding and using health information to make good decisions for one's well-being.
​
It's not just about reading and writing but also about having the skills to navigate the sometimes confusing world of healthcare.
Health literacy involves:
-
understanding instructions from healthcare providers,
-
reading prescription labels,
-
navigating electronic technology used in healthcare
-
understanding patient education materials.
​​
Health literacy is a key step in empowering individuals to take control of their health and to make informed decisions. When people understand health information, they are better equipped to navigate the complexities of healthcare systems, communicate effectively with healthcare providers, and comprehend important medical instructions.
Why is Health Literacy important?
Proficient health literacy has been tied to:
-
improved adherence to treatment plans
-
increased preventive care
-
decreased rates of hospitalization
-
better management of chronic conditions.
Health literacy is also a critical component of effective patient-provider communication, with clear communication found to foster a trusting, collaborative relationship.
Healthcare providers need to communicate complex medical information in a way that is accessible and easily comprehensible to diverse audiences, taking into account variations in health literacy levels among patients.
The use of health-literate materials helps to empower patients to participate in their healthcare and to make informed decisions. People with varying levels of education and diverse cultural backgrounds may have different health literacy levels. Designing materials that are accessible to a broad audience supports inclusivity and helps bridge gaps in health understanding and outcomes.
What steps can I take to improve the Health Literacy of my materials?
Keeping health literacy in mind when creating patient materials is a fundamental aspect of patient-centered care. It supports the principles of transparency, communication, and empowerment, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes and a more equitable healthcare system.
Patient materials should be developed with an awareness of cultural nuances, language preferences, and health beliefs to resonate with diverse populations and to promote health equity. Simplifying language, avoiding medical jargon, and incorporating visuals are important steps in improving the health literacy of patient materials.
APICEM has developed a propriety rubric for assessing the health literacy of print materials, websites, and digital pieces. We offer several options for teams interested in improving the Health Literacy of their materials:
-
Health Literacy Review - material is reviewed and assigned a Health Literacy score. Recommendations on how to improve the Health Literacy of the material are provided
-
Health Literacy Review & Revisions - material is reviewed, and scored, and specific recommended revisions to improve the health literacy of materials are included in each review
-
Health Literacy Review & Redesign - material is reviewed and scored. Recommended revisions to both content and design are made and final production-ready files are provided
​​
CONTACT US today to submit your materials for review and evaluation.