The Causes Of Health Literacy

Some ways to tell if your patient is struggling with health literacy is leaving some spots blank on forms. And looking dazed or confused when questioned about the blanks on the paperwork. Frequently people with poor health literacy will often miss appointments due to them not being able to read when there next appointment even is. Also most people who are health illit-erate wont know the names of their prescriptions they will just come in with there medicines and remember their medications by the shape/color of the pill. You can always ask the patient if they like to read and what they enjoy reading. You can improve health literacy by explaining to the patients there are programs for people who are health illiter-ate with little or no cost.

In this weeks required reading, chapter 11 The State and Quality of Canadian Public Education and chapter 12, Literacy and Health Literacy: New Understandings about their Impact on Health, the authors discus in great detail how health and education goes hand-in-hand. Chapter 11, argues that vulnerabilities and inequalities certain student experience daily such as socioeconomic, gender differences and ethno-cultural factors that have a lasting health effect on their health in the long run. The continuation of such failures public school regulations work under, it will potentially separate communities in Canada, creating a division which is kind of like repeating history. In addition, chapter 12 says it’s essential for Canada to improve its

Health literacy has an impact on every person who works in the health care field. An education program that targets health care workers and the patients they interact with can positively influence the overall health of citizens in the US (Devraj, et al., 2010). Understanding how HL impacts a patient’s well-being has the potential to influence better patient outcomes. When medical personnel understand the importance of HL, they are more likely to display empathetic attitudes, facilitate health care knowledge, and promote an overall healthier environment, thus leading to patient empowerment (Devraj, et al., 2010).

Currently, in the United States, most non-health related individuals will have trouble have trouble understanding his or her medications or medical diagnoses. This becomes the matter of health literacy or rather a lack of health literacy, which is described as "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions" (Hernandez 2009). The United Sates has a health care systems rely on printed materials to convey directions and instructions related to procedures, medicines, side effects, and self-care. This would not be an issue if it was not for the fact that materials are often written at readability levels that exceed the reading

Health literacy is how patients and people function in health care settings. Therefore, for it to be efficient it is contingent of the individual’s characteristics and the health care system in which they operate. Literacy varies depending on treatment, the medical issue faced, the medical provider, and even the system of government. The reason why health literacy is a trending topic of interest in research is because it is “described as the currency for improving the quality of health and health care in America” (Adams, 2003). So

Health information can overcome people with best literacy abilities. Medical science advances quickly. What individuals may have found out about health or science from their school years regularly winds up becoming obsolete or forgotten, or it is fragmented. In addition, health information given in a stressful situation (Clinic or ER) is probably not going to be

Health literacy has seventeen definitions instead of one because there are inconsistencies with the world of the internet and social media (Nelson & Staggers, 2018). The Institution of Medicine and the World Health Organization definitions focus “on an individual’s skill in obtaining and using the health information and services necessary to make appropriate health decisions” (Nelson & Staggers, 2018, p. 14). The health literacy level for patient handouts available on the internet or given to patients should be no higher than sixth grade, so it can be understood. Although, many health literacy levels are above sixth grade, which prevents patients from understanding and using the information to maintain their health. Health literacy levels

It can be a challenge to make a change in the health literacy of our patients I think with time it will make a difference. Health care professionals may not see the change now but with the availability of the internet and tele health, more people are getting exposed. The main problem is getting everyone to be literate that is able to read and write at least up to high school level. This has a huge part to play in health literacy.

Health literacy refers to an individual’s capacity to understand healthcare information and make proper decisions regarding their medical conditions. Healthcare professionals are therefore obligated to ensure that patients understand the health information provided to them. The HCAHPS standardized data survey was used to observe, measure and analyze patients’ perspectives on the communication and health literacy provided at one San Diego area hospital, and compare those levels to the California and national averages. From these findings, doctor and nurse communication with respondents garnered “Always” percentiles between 75%-82%, suggesting that patients were satisfied with the communication and health literacy techniques provided. The levels

On October 12, 2017, Joan Morris, MSHA, MBA, RN, spoke with LEND trainees about Health Literacy. Joan defined health literacy as, “the ability to read, understand and act on health care information”. Many influences impact health literacy, including environmental factors such as socioeconomic status, occupation, employment, income, social support, media, language, and culture, in addition to a person’s physical qualities like age, gender, vision, hearing, verbal ability, memory, reasoning, physical abilities, social skills, and metacognitive skills (Health literacy and public health: A systematic review and integration of definitions and models).

There are number of different definitions of health literacy. However, health literacy is commonly identified as the level to which an individual has the capability to obtain, process and understand elementary health information and services required to make applicable health choices (National Network of Libraries of Medicine [NN/LM], 2014). According to National Network of Libraries of Medicine (2014), health literacy is

Low health literacy can affect a person’s capability to share personal info with their physician and have the proper knowledge required to manage chronic-disease on a daily basis.

Health literacy approach to health equity tackles the understanding of health care system from the angle of the health care provider and the health care beneficiary. This approach curbs poorer health outcomes and higher health care cost in the populace seeking health treatment. Infact, it is a knowledge enhancer for patients, caregivers and the public. However, systemic factors impede health literacy within the society particularly within the indigenous diversity. The systemic factors may include: culture, medical terminologies and communication skills, knowledge of medical professions, health care and health system expectations as well as contextual situation of the patient.

Health literacy has also been linked to a particular group of people, including the older adults (regardless of educational level), non-speaking English patients, and individuals with general literacy. With the elderly decline in cognitive and sensory changes and some with chronic illnesses, it can be challenging to comprehend and recall all health information. Low health literacy in adults has been linked to constant hospitalization rate, the inability to manage chronic sicknesses, and high death rate. (Speros, 2009). “More than 75 million Americans, 36 percent of the population, have low health literacy as determined by the 2003 National Adult Literacy Survey” (Scott, 2016).

The evidence presented above indicates that both groups experience many challenges achieving health literacy, and therefore are at risk of poor health. Individual capacity, societal factors and organisational factors are all key barriers to accessing health literacy for marginalised groups. Marginalised groups are often stigmatised, and as reported this is especially detrimental when perpetuated by health professionals. Health professionals, have a responsibility to practice person centred care and by stigmatising patients they are failing to achieve a basic requirement of their professional requirements. Furthermore, this stigmatisation results in the not person not communicating information for fear of judgement, avoiding treatment