Health Literacy is an essential skill that enables individuals to acquire, comprehend and apply health information independently, empowering them to actively engage in their healthcare journey and make informed decisions about their well-being.
People with low health literacy are more likely to have worse health outcomes overall (Berkman et al. 2011) and adverse health behaviours, such as:
- Lower engagement with health services, including preventive services such as cancer screening (Kobayashi et al. 2014).
- Higher hospital re-admission rates (Mitchell et al. 2012).
- Poorer understanding of medication instructions (for example, non-adherence, improper usage) (Marvanova et al. 2011; Miller 2016).
- Lower ability to self-manage care (Geboers et al. 2016).
In contrast, higher levels of health literacy skills, enable individuals to effectively navigate various aspects of healthcare and involvement of decision-making which is important in patient-centred care (De Oliveira et al. 2018; Seo et al. 2016):
Benefits of Health Literacy:
- Critically evaluating health information to make informed decisions about their healthcare options.
- Navigating the healthcare system adeptly to access appropriate services and resources.
- Communicating effectively with healthcare providers, understanding medical advice, and asking relevant questions.
- Understanding health risk factors and adopting preventive measures, including treatment protocols, medication instructions, and necessary lifestyle modifications.
- Advocating for their health needs and rights to ensure timely access to essential support and resources for optimal health outcomes.
Nonetheless, challenges surface when health literacy is compromised or influenced by factors beyond an individual’s control. Over the years, research worldwide delved into various facets of this concept, researching its correlation with health outcomes, quality of life, comprehension of healthcare information and effective measurement methods for valuable insights.
These studies also explore how external factors influence skill levels and discuss the ongoing challenge of understanding health information and appropriate measures to gain deeper insight. For instance, one study focuses on ‘Patients’ Health Literacy and Health Behaviour Assessment in Primary Health Care: Evidence From A Cross-Sectional Survey’.
What are the external barriers to Health Literacy?
These barriers can potentially influence an individual’s ability to interpret health information:
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Environmental Barriers:
Physical surroundings such as noisy clinics, crowded waiting rooms, lack of privacy, long wait times, remote location and digital access can impede comprehension and information processing.
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Social Barriers:
Socioeconomic status, age, cultural background, and language can affect an individual’s ability to process information and communicate effectively.
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Emotional Barriers:
Emotions related to diagnoses, such as fear, anxiety, or denial, can impede rational decision-making and information processing.
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Situational Barriers:
The stage of diagnosis or treatment may affect an individual’s ability to absorb and retain health information.
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Economical Barriers:
Financial constraints leading to limited access to healthcare services can hinder individuals’ ability to seek necessary medical care and comprehend complex treatment options.
Challenges faced when navigating healthcare systems
Exploring the complexity of health comprehension sheds light on the challenges individuals and their loved one’s face when navigating healthcare systems. Yet, within these challenges, opportunities exist to improve health literacy equity.
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Establishing consensus on the definition of health literacy:
The consensus is essential for deepening our understanding of its impact on health outcomes and guiding effective interventions.
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Adopting a patient-centric approach:
Many individuals find navigating the healthcare system daunting, particularly when confronted with complex and unfamiliar terminology. Prioritising communication and recognising each individual’s health comprehension are vital steps to simplify the healthcare journey.
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Encouraging support:
With the right resources and support system in place, individuals can overcome health literacy challenges and take control of their journey. Tailored support may include community partnerships, multidisciplinary care team and interactive workshops.
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Continuously refining digital tools:
Empowering individuals to overcome health literacy challenges and barriers by enhancing digital tools ensures access to comprehendible health information.
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Advocating for Policy Changes:
Policy changes are essential in providing a necessary framework and allocating resources to support and sustain the implementation of strategies for understanding health information. These changes can facilitate long-term solutions to improve health information comprehension and ensure equitable healthcare access.
An exceptional real-life example from a Victorian paramedic exemplified the importance of effective communication in healthcare. The paramedic, Michael Lee, went above and beyond his duties by utilising his language skills to assist a non-English-speaking family in their native language. Effective communication helped to remove barriers, ensuring the family’s child received the necessary care and support. This inspiring example underscores a patient-centric approach and its impact on health outcomes.
By fostering a nurturing environment that values this skill and provides tailored support, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Through collaborative efforts and sustained commitment to promoting health literacy and removing barriers, a way can be paved for an inclusive and empowered healthcare system that serves the needs of all individuals.
REFERENCES
- Šulinskaitė, K., Zagurskienė, D. & Blaževičienė, A. Patients’ Health Literacy and Health Behaviour Assessment in Primary Health Care: Evidence From A Cross-Sectional Survey. BMC Prim. Care 23, 223 (2022).
- Ilona Kickbusch, Suzanne Wait, Daniela Maag. Navigating Health the Role of Health Literacy. International Longevity Centre UK.
- Paramedic Goes Above and Beyond with Surprise Language Skills, Ambulance Victoria
- Health Literacy, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
