Only 12% of Americans possess adequate health literacy skills. Among the populations cited with the lowest health literacy are those who experience chronic health conditions (Armstrong-Heimsoth et. al., (2017). Improving health literacy is a national health priority, and there is a growing body of literature linking health literacy to health care costs, utilization, and outcomes (Hardie, N. et. al., (2011).
Originally, the interest in health literacy was mainly focused on health care services, and had a limited focus on the ability to handle words and numbers in a medical context (Originally, the interest in health literacy was mainly focused on health care services, and had a limited focus on the ability to handle words and numbers in a medical context (Van den Broucke, S. (2014). Yet over the years the concept gradually expanded in meaning to also account for more complex and interconnected abilities, such as reading and acting upon written health information, communicating needs to health professionals, and understanding health instructions (Van den Broucke, S. (2014).
More recently, the concept of health literacy has also found its way into public health. So, in addition to the already significant body of literature linking low health literacy to decreased medication adherence, poor knowledge of the disease, poor adherence to self-care management, and poor treatment outcomes, there is now an increasing number of studies attesting to the fact that people with lower health literacy are also less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors, to participate in screening programs or to use preventive services (Van den Broucke, S. (2014).
At the same time, the meaning of the concept itself continues to expand and now includes information seeking, decision making, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication, along with a multitude of social, personal, and cognitive skills that are imperative to function in the health system (Van den Broucke, S. (2014). More recently, the concept of health literacy has also found its way into public health.
So, in addition to the already significant body of literature linking low health literacy to decreased medication adherence, poor knowledge of the disease, poor adherence to self-care management, and poor treatment outcomes, there is now an increasing number of studies attesting to the fact that people with lower health literacy are also less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors, to participate in screening programs or to use preventive services. At the same time, the meaning of the concept itself continues to expand and now includes information seeking, decision making, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication, along with a multitude of social, personal, and cognitive skills that are imperative to function in the health system (Van den Broucke, S. (2014).
Nurses face many challenges in caring for diverse populations when cultural and literacy barriers are present. Patients have the right to health information to assist in making informed decisions (Rajah, R.et. al., (2018). Quality healthcare goals include patient-centered and equitable care for diverse populations. According to NAM, the goal for improving healthcare is to make care equitable regardless of personal characteristics, including ethnicity, geographic location, gender, or socioeconomic status (Rajah, R.et. al., (2018).
References;
Armstrong-Heimsoth, A., Johnson, M. L., McCulley, A., Basinger, M., Maki, K., & Davison, D. (2017). Good Googling: a consumer health literacy program empowering parents to find quality health information online. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 21(2), 111-124.
Hardie, N. A., Kyanko, K., Busch, S., LoSasso, A. T., & Levin, R. A. (2011). Health literacy and health care spending and utilization in a consumer-driven healthplan. Journal of Health Communication, 16(sup3), 308-321.
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