Health information is part of everyday life, but it isn’t always easy to understand. A prescription label, test result or new diagnosis can leave someone trying to make sense of unfamiliar information while also deciding what to do next.
That’s where health literacy comes in. It’s the ability to find, understand and use health information to make decisions about your health. Even the best medical care can only go so far if people don’t understand the information they need to act on it.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) look at health literacy from two sides. Personal health literacy focuses on an individual’s ability to understand and use health information. Organizational health literacy recognizes that healthcare organizations also have a responsibility to make information and services clear, accessible and easier to use.
Making health information easier to grasp gives people a better chance to use it in ways that support their health.
Why Is Health Literacy Important?
Health information often comes with decisions and next steps. Health literacy can help patients understand their care and feel more prepared to act on what they learn.
Supporting Better Health Outcomes
A lot of healthcare happens at home. Patients may need to take medications correctly, follow a treatment plan, monitor symptoms or manage a chronic condition over time. Health literacy helps people make sense of that information and use it to inform decisions about their care, which can lead to better outcomes.
When patients understand their care plan and know what steps to take, they’re better equipped to manage their health and avoid preventable complications. It can also reduce unnecessary hospital visits and readmissions, helping patients stay well while reducing strain on the healthcare system.
Building Trust Between Patients and Providers
Clear communication can strengthen trust between patients and providers. When patients understand the information they receive, they may feel more comfortable asking questions, raising concerns and taking an active role in their care.
That trust can carry into how patients manage their health. The CDC notes that health literacy best practices can help build trust and encourage healthy behaviors. Patients who feel informed and heard may be more willing to stay engaged in their care and follow through on recommended next steps.
Advancing Health Equity
Everyone should have the opportunity to understand their health and make informed decisions about their care. Language, education, access to healthcare and other social determinants of health can affect how easily people find and use the information they need.
When those barriers make healthcare harder to navigate, they can contribute to existing health disparities. Health literacy is one part of that larger picture.
Healthcare organizations can help reduce these barriers by making health information clear, accessible and responsive to the communities they serve. When more people can understand their options and navigate care, they have a better opportunity to take an active role in their health.
What Is Limited Health Literacy?
Limited health literacy can show up in everyday healthcare situations. A patient might have trouble understanding a medication label, following discharge instructions or making sense of a consent form.
These challenges don’t necessarily reflect someone’s education or intelligence. Medical information can be complex, and a person’s level of health literacy may depend on the situation and how clearly the information is presented.
When patients don’t fully understand their care, the effects can add up. They may have more difficulty taking medications correctly, managing chronic conditions or following instructions after a hospital stay. Over time, those challenges can contribute to poorer health outcomes and a greater risk of hospital readmission.
Skills Needed for Good Health Literacy
Understanding and using health information requires a mix of practical abilities. Some of the most important health literacy skills include:
- Basic math skills: Measuring medications, interpreting nutrition labels and understanding numbers related to health all require basic math
- Literacy skills: Understanding written information like care instructions as well as education shared during conversations with healthcare providers
- Basic health knowledge: Understanding how the body works and common causes of illness can make it easier to understand health information
How to Improve Health Literacy
Improving health literacy is a shared effort. Individuals can take steps to better understand their care, while healthcare organizations can make information easier to understand and use.
Strategies for Individuals
There are simple steps people can take to better understand health information and feel more prepared to make decisions about their care:
- Ask questions when something isn’t clear. If an instruction or medical term is confusing, ask the provider to explain it another way.
- Repeat instructions in your own words. Saying back what you heard can help confirm that you understand what to do next.
- Bring someone you trust. A family member, friend or caregiver can listen, ask questions and help you remember important information after an appointment.
- Check the source. When looking for health information on your own, turn to credible sources such as government health agencies or hospital system knowledge banks to help verify what you find.
Strategies for Healthcare Organizations
Healthcare organizations can make health information easier to understand from the start. That means considering how patients with different backgrounds, languages and levels of health literacy may experience their care.
Using plain language is an important part of that work. Medical forms, educational materials and conversations with providers should be clear and easy to follow. Culturally and linguistically appropriate communication can also help organizations better serve the needs of their patients.
Addressing health literacy takes a broader commitment, too. Organizations should develop plans for improving how they communicate and train staff to recognize when patients may need information explained differently.
The Role of the Department of Health in Improving Health Literacy
Improving health literacy across communities takes support beyond individual healthcare organizations. The United States Department of Health and Human Services and agencies like the CDC provide research, guidance and resources that healthcare organizations and communities can use.
National efforts also help establish shared goals for addressing health literacy. By giving healthcare providers and public health professionals tools to improve communication, government agencies can support clearer, more accessible health information and services.
Closing health literacy gaps takes coordination. Government agencies, healthcare providers and communities all have a role in making health information easier for people to understand and use.
Careers Focused on Improving Health Literacy
Improving health literacy takes healthcare professionals who can make information easier to understand and services easier to navigate. Several roles contribute to that work:
- Health educators create programs and resources that help people understand health topics and make informed decisions
- Community health workers help people find health information and services, connect with community resources, and navigate barriers to care
- Health services coordinators help patients navigate appointments, providers and other parts of the healthcare system
Final Thoughts: Building a More Health-Literate Society
Health literacy isn’t something individuals have to navigate alone. People can build their knowledge and skills, while healthcare organizations can make it easier to find, understand and use the information they provide.
Both are important. When people have clear information and feel prepared to use it, they’re better positioned to make decisions about their health. Making that information more accessible can also help reduce barriers that contribute to health disparities.
The continued focus on plain language and clear communication is encouraging. The easier health information is to understand, the more useful it becomes to the people who rely on it.
FAQs
How is health literacy measured?
Health literacy is often measured in research or healthcare settings using tools that look at how well people understand and use health information. These may focus on skills like reading prescription instructions, understanding medical terms or working with numbers related to care.
Does limited health literacy only affect certain populations?
No. Limited health literacy can affect anyone, especially when health information is complex or unfamiliar. Some people may face additional barriers related to language, education or access to resources, but health literacy challenges aren’t limited to any one population.
How does health literacy relate to digital or online health information?
Health literacy also applies to information people find online. Beyond understanding what they read, people need to consider whether a source is credible and whether the information is relevant to their health needs.
Can health literacy improve over time with practice?
Yes. Health literacy can improve as people gain experience asking questions, understanding health information and evaluating sources. With practice, these skills can make it easier to navigate health decisions with confidence.
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