Meaning Of Health Literacy

Adult health literacy skills.

Meaning of health literacy. A prescription to end confusion and healthy people 2010 has been widely used. Health literacy is the ability to obtain read understand and use healthcare information in order to make appropriate health decisions and follow instructions for treatment. Some also view health knowledgeas part of health literacy.

Health literacy is defined as the ability of an individual to obtain and translate knowledge and information in order to maintain and improve health in a way that is appropriate to the individual and system contexts. Department of education collects and reports data adult literacy and numeracy skills. These studies found that adults who self report the worst health also have the most limited literacy numeracy and health literacy skills.

Department of health and human services hhs updated the definition to include personal. The ratzan and parker 2000 definition that was included in the institute of medicine iom report health literacy. From this perspective health literacy is a dynamic stateof an individual during a health care encounter.

Thus health literacy means more than being able to read pamphlets and make appointments. Health literacy refers broadly to the ability of individuals to gain access to understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health 1 for themselves their families and their communities. The patient protection and affordable care act of 2010 title v defines health literacy as the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain communicate process and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions.

In 2006 they published the only national data on health literacy skills. Health literacy implies the achievement of a level of knowledge personal skills and confidence to take action to improve personal and community health by changing personal lifestyles and living conditions. They define health literacy as being the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

A new definition of health literacy. An individual s health literacy may vary depending upon the medical problem being treated the health care provider and the system providing the care. Health literacy defined as an individual s ability to acquire understand and use the information needed to make health related decisions healthypeople gov 2012 is an especially important factor in patients ability to manage their interactions with the healthcare system.