The Health Literacy Meaning

The term health literacy means the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain communicate process and understand basic health information and services in order to make appropriate health decisions patient and affordable care act of 2010 title v.

The health literacy meaning. Defining health literacy 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. Thus health literacy means more than being able to read pamphlets and make appointments. If knowledge is part of the definition of health literacy this too must be measured.

This is also the definition that was included in healthy people 2010 and 2020. The ratzan and parker 2000 definition that was included in the institute of medicine iom report health literacy. Health literacy is the capacity to find interpret and use information and health services to make effective decisions for health and wellbeing.

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 prescription to end confusion and healthy people 2010 has been widely used.

Research has shown there is a strong relationship between a person s health literacy and their health status. 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. A new definition of health literacy.