Dear friends,
Have you or someone you know ever found yourself at the doctor’s office, nodding along while thinking, “Wait, what does that even mean?” If so, you’re not alone! Health information can feel like it’s written in a different language, so that’s where health literacy comes in to help interpret.
What exactly is health literacy that it gets its own recognition month every October? Think of it as a way to decode the health care system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s the ability to find, understand, and use health information to make decisions that keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe. This is important because when you understand health information, you make smarter choices.
Health literacy isn’t just your responsibility; it’s a two-way street. Health care providers, organizations, and even your health insurance company all have a role to play.
But CDC says that only 12% of adults in the U.S. have proficient health literacy. That means most of us could use a little help figuring out what our doctors are saying and how to navigate health care in general.
For example, words like “deductible” and “premium” can sometimes feel like a maze when trying to select health insurance. But being health literate means understanding these terms so that you can choose a plan that fits your budget and health needs, saving you from any surprise bills later.
Or think about managing a chronic disease like diabetes. Health literacy isn’t just about knowing how to take your meds and how to monitor your blood sugar. It’s also about understanding how your diet, exercise and medications work together. And about knowing why preventive care, like flu shots or regular screenings, are important for your long-term health.
As a physician, I’ve always encouraged my patients, family and friends to boost their health literacy. I even co-authored a book, Focus on Your Best Health, with an entire chapter dedicated to helping readers navigate the medical maze with stories from real patients about making health care work for them.
Sure, reading prescription labels is part of health literacy, but there’s more to it. It’s also knowing how to advocate for yourself, especially if you’re from a community that faces additional challenges in the health care system. Health literacy is a key player in leveling the playing field.
Here are a few other simple and actionable tips to improve your own health literacy:
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Ask Questions: If something doesn’t make sense, say so! There are no dumb questions when it comes to your health. Your doctor is there to help, not confuse you with big words. You might ask your doctor to explain something, then repeat what the doctor said in your own words to verify that you understood it. Asking questions also means bringing a list of them to your appointments.
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Consult the Pros: When looking online for health information, go to reliable sources like the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, WebMD, or even your doctor’s website. That health tip your friend shared on Facebook might sound convincing, but double-check it with a medical expert first.
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Join a Support Group: If you need help managing a chronic illness, consider joining a support group. It offers an opportunity to share similar experiences, practical advice, and is a safe space to boost your health literacy with a network of people who can help you understand and apply health information in practical, meaningful ways.</P.
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Grab the Book: Seriously! Allow me to give a shameless plug to our book, Focus on Your Best Health. Despite being written more than a decade now, it’s still fully relevant with helpful and practical tips to communicate, navigate and advocate for yourself and loved ones in a very complex health care system. Everything we discuss in it is related to health literacy. Go here for more information.
But let’s face it, health literacy isn’t just your responsibility; it’s a two-way street. Health care providers, organizations, and even your health insurance company all have a role to play. This is called organizational health literacy, and it’s about ensuring that health information is clear, easy to understand, and accessible for everyone.
For example, a hospital that hands out easy-to-read discharge instructions written in plain English – or in multiple languages – is doing its part. And when it comes to picking health insurance, companies need to spell out what is and is not covered in language that doesn’t require a law degree to translate. It’s all about making sure you have what you need to make the best decisions.
In the end, health literacy is about taking charge of your health. So, as we celebrate Health Literacy Month this October, why not take a few small steps to improve yours? Your future self and those you love and advocate for will be glad you did.
With your health in mind,
