Health Literacy Assessment

I really enjoyed reading your post. This is a good example of how poor health literacy can have a detrimental effect on a patient’s health. In a journal article the authors stated that health literacy is a strong predictor of a person’s health status (Schwatz et al., 2013). As seen in the AMA video and in the example that given here, it is clear that health literacy has a direct effect on one’s ability to make important healthcare decisions. Your example also reminds me that fear may play a big role in health literacy and one’s ability to make healthcare decisions. Making healthcare decision for yourself at time can be a daunting task no matter the culture, level or education, of background. It is so important that providers consider

A big problem today in health care for many people is health literacy. Health literacy is when a person is able to understand and process medical information they are given. Having low health literacy can affect how a person understands, and uses information about their health and health services (Batterham 2016). Low health literacy rates lead to big issues in communication. Limited literacy impacts health behaviors, decisions, and ultimately outcomes. Many people have low health literacy which leads to bad health outcomes. Research shows that low literacy is linked with the lower likelihood of people being able to manage their own health conditions, and less access to health care services which can lead to poor health outcomes. There are many reasons people have low health literacy, A lack of formal education and poor reading ability aren't the only causes of low health literacy. Low health literacy is associated with a number of things like poor engagement in health services, health knowledge, and overall health status. People with low health literacy may feel ashamed and try to hide it from professionals and family members. Most health care professionals are unaware of the level of health literacy their patient has. (Greenhalgh 2015) There is a need to identify individual health literacy needs and address how to work on solutions to benefit them and whole groups of people. Differences in health literacy

Only 15-40 % of the population in the U.S. are health literate (Kirk et al. 2012) and 14% of the total adult population have below basic/functional literacy. Of the total adult population with basic health literacy skills, 14 % of the population are men and 16% of the population are

“Health Literacy” a term to define literacy in healthcare. “An estimated 90 million people in the U.S. have difficulties understanding and using health information” (Hawkins, Kantayya and Sharkey-Asner, 2010). Low health literacy poses public health risks due to groups of people not being able to adequately care for themselves and stay healthy. This paper argues the importance of literacy as it pertains to health and also explores the various types of literacy that can impact how health information is received and understood from the general public.

The Australian government plays a vital role in promoting health literacy in the community. There are three levels, federal, state and territories, and local government that comprise a complex division of responsibilities (OECD, 2015). The fundamental goal of health care is to lesson disease and promote health (Australia’s Health,2016). One effective tactic is to embed the principles into health systems. (Vellar, Mastroianni & Lambert., 2016, p622) An excellent example is the successful implementation at Shoalhaven local health district (SHLHD), of a Health Literacy Framework between 2012 -2015. Methods utilised included the use of plain English in all healthcare information, training of staff across all disciplines and the requirement that health literacy be considered in all interpersonal communication. Patient feedback regarding the SHLHD has been positive. (Vellar et al., 2016). Therefore, the embedding of health literacy in to the policies and frameworks within a health service is an effective way of ultimately increasing the health care outcomes of patients.

The point of this assignment is to able to Archives the Shape America Health Literacy, October month twitter chat in Storify that panelist have done @SHAPE America twitter webpage so that anyone, anywhere, anytime can go back to check the stream of conversation or the summary and gain an insight into the topic that was discussed.

The problems associated with the health literacy have been identified by the researchers in the last ten years. They came to know the role played by it in the medical as well as the individual self care by the comprehension of information related to health and the outcomes related to it (Carolyn Speros, 2004).

Health literacy is both a consumer and public healthcare issue. As a health care provider, it is not only my responsibility to ensure that you understand your health and what is going on

Health literacy has seventeen definitions instead of one because there are inconsistencies with the world of the internet and social media (Nelson & Staggers, 2018). The Institution of Medicine and the World Health Organization definitions focus “on an individual’s skill in obtaining and using the health information and services necessary to make appropriate health decisions” (Nelson & Staggers, 2018, p. 14). The health literacy level for patient handouts available on the internet or given to patients should be no higher than sixth grade, so it can be understood. Although, many health literacy levels are above sixth grade, which prevents patients from understanding and using the information to maintain their health. Health literacy levels

Most of these qualities mentioned above by both organizations are focused on improving health and prevent diseases. For example, both, Healthy people 2020 and (WHO, MDG), mentioned a common important goal which is to educate the population. There is a common believe that health literacy can have an impact on health promotion and disease prevention. Also, the goal of achieving health equity as well as eliminating disparities is shared between both organizations.

Health literacy is an extremely important factor when it comes to taking care of ourselves. Health literacy is most commonly defined as the ability to understand health information that can range from levels of simple to difficult. We

It can be a challenge to make a change in the health literacy of our patients I think with time it will make a difference. Health care professionals may not see the change now but with the availability of the internet and tele health, more people are getting exposed. The main problem is getting everyone to be literate that is able to read and write at least up to high school level. This has a huge part to play in health literacy.

Health literacy refers to an individual’s capacity to understand healthcare information and make proper decisions regarding their medical conditions. Healthcare professionals are therefore obligated to ensure that patients understand the health information provided to them. The HCAHPS standardized data survey was used to observe, measure and analyze patients’ perspectives on the communication and health literacy provided at one San Diego area hospital, and compare those levels to the California and national averages. From these findings, doctor and nurse communication with respondents garnered “Always” percentiles between 75%-82%, suggesting that patients were satisfied with the communication and health literacy techniques provided. The levels

Health care systems these days are very efficient. Everyone accesses the health care system if there is any health related problem. But the extent to which people in society can access health facilities available to them can vary depending on various factors such as health literacy and socioeconomic status. ‘Health literacy represents the cognitive and social skills that determine a person’s motivation and ability to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health’ (World Health Organization [WHO], 1998). An individual’s ability of accessing good health care largely depends on the health literacy of the individual. Furthermore, Socioeconomic status (SES) is an economic and sociological combined total measure of an individual 's or family 's economic and social position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation. The effects of health literacy and socioeconomic status on older adult’s ability to access good quality health care are discussed in subsequent paragraphs.

Health literacy approach to health equity tackles the understanding of health care system from the angle of the health care provider and the health care beneficiary. This approach curbs poorer health outcomes and higher health care cost in the populace seeking health treatment. Infact, it is a knowledge enhancer for patients, caregivers and the public. However, systemic factors impede health literacy within the society particularly within the indigenous diversity. The systemic factors may include: culture, medical terminologies and communication skills, knowledge of medical professions, health care and health system expectations as well as contextual situation of the patient.