n ew ideas
Strengthening digital health literacy in society The rapid growth of digital health is inevitable. Although it brings about many advantages, it also threatens to worsen existing health inequalities experienced by people who have lower levels of digital health literacy. Digital health literacy concerns the ability to find, understand, appraise, and apply information from electronic sources to address and solve health problems.
Kristine Sørensen, Founder of the Global Health Literacy Academy (Denmark), President of the International Health Literacy Association
Impossible to understand People who are digital health literate are empowered, able to manage their health, and critically engage in societal health challenges and opportunities. In turn, people who struggle to keep up with technological advancements and pursue low health literacy levels are at risk of health disparities. To strengthen digital health literacy in the society, we need inclusive digital health services as they can lead to improved prevention, awareness of healthier lifestyle behaviors, and an overall im-
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provement in health outcomes throughout the life-course. Make a quick reality check! Find the website of your local hospital or primary healthcare center. How easy is it to understand and navigate? Can you find the information relevant to you? Does it use plain language, pictures, and pictograms? Consider other digital platforms – are you able to assess information from
social media, influencers, commercials, and other digital stakeholders? Indeed, we are faced with a digital information jungle that is extremely difficult to explore and fully grasp.
