Solid sources, access important to acquiring information

Kailey Bergstedt, Photo & Graphics Editor and Alexa Munoz, Staff Writer

Since the COVID–19 pandemic began, people have focused on staying healthy and becoming more health literate. Because so little was known about the virus at first, sources popped up daily with new information and varying levels of accuracy. A helpful resource for those seeking credible information is Dallas’ Cooper Institute, which provides information about preventive health.

The Department of Health and Human Services defines health literacy as the ability to find information and services needed to make well-informed health decisions.

Amanda English, associate director for community engagement at the Institute for Health Disparities at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, said several resources are available to learn more about being health literate.

“Academically approved websites are a good place to start and even local public libraries can provide guidance in navigating the plethora of resources,” she said.

The components of health literacy include personal,organizational and digital health literacy. Personal health literacy refers to the ability to find information to help with health decisions.

Organizational health literacy refers to access to organizations that help people make health decisions.

“Individuals who work in health care know to explain things in ways that people will understand,” English said. “We do this not just in verbal but also written communication so everything is very cut and dried and people can clearly understand what is happening and what is being asked of them.”

Finally, digital health literacy refers to people’s ability to find useful information from electronic sources. This aspect of healthy literacy grew exponentially during the pandemic when nearly everything was virtual and information was mainly found and communicated digitally.

While Americans have sought guidance on preventive measures and becoming more health care literate, certain communities face difficulties in accessing information.

“Hispanic, African American, Native American and low income communities frequently have a higher rate of health disparities and low health outcomes,” English said. These groups face barriers related to transportation, education and their environment. Those living in communities far from a doctor’s office, especially lower income people who lack transportation, often struggle accessing health care. Similarly, communities with limited access to quality education lack health literacy. Although groups and organizations work to overcome health care disparities, creating change takes time and dedication.

“It takes a community,” English said. “It takes people in the community asking the right questions and building partnerships with other communities to create solutions together.”