Health literacy

Lin Zhao (PharmD Student) Taylor Osborn (BSPS) Christie Kang (BSPS)

Nations, U., 2021. Health Literacy and Sustainable Development | United Nations. [online] United Nations. Available at: <https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/health-literacy- and-sustainable-development> [Accessed 14 April 2021].

Overview

The CDC definition of health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Those with poor health literacy often have difficulty understanding medication instructions which leads to poorer management of their own conditions, especially when these conditions are chronic. They also have trouble finding access to resources such as preventative care and are more likely to be misdiagnosed. These patients are more likely to have a greater use of emergency care and have lower rates of vaccination as well. In the United States alone, low health literacy costs the government between $106-239 billion per year. Here, we discuss how varying degrees of ability to assess health information can affect a person ’ s health.

Top Image: Health Literacy. Medline University. https://www.medlineuniversity.com/medline/viewdocument/healthliteracy?CommunityKey=d15198e2-e041-4be7-be2b1cc2c8291f86&tab=librarydocuments. Accessed March 19, 2021.

Bottom Image: Digital transformation boosts businesses. AsiaPacific Infrastructure. https://www.infrastructurenews.co.nz/digital- transformation-boosts-businesses/. Published October 23, 2017. Accessed March 19, 2021.