Developing Health-Literate Individuals C H A P T E R 1 Developing Health-Literate Individuals Chapter 1

Health-Literate Individuals These are the characteristics of health literate individuals: Able to address their own health needs Able to address the health needs of others Able to obtain and apply knowledge and skills to enhance health now and in the future

Definition of Health Literacy Health literacy is linked to literacy and entails people’s knowledge, motivation, and competencies to access, understand, appraise, and apply health information in order to make judgments and make decisions in everyday life concerning health care, disease prevention, and health promotion to maintain or improve quality of life during the life course.

Components of Health Literacy

Health Literacy Versus Literacy Individuals must have the ability to read and write in order to be healthy. People read and write about an idea or theory within a subject or setting. To be health literate, a person must learn to read, write, understand, and interpret health- related information.

Literacy Areas Visual (understanding information presented visually, such as a graph or chart) Computer (able to use a computer) Information (obtain, understand, and apply information) (continued)

Literacy Areas (continued) Numerical (able to understand and apply numbers and computations) E-health literacy (able to seek, find, understand, and appraise from electronic sources)

Examples Related to Health Education The ability to read and interpret information on disease from the Internet Understand dosage requirements of a medication Ability to decipher accurate and inaccurate nutrition information Ability to think critically about health behaviors and outcomes

Continuum of Health Literacy The health literacy continuum levels range from simple to more complex. As health literacy rises, so does the ability to control and maintain one’s health. (continued)

Continuum of Health Literacy (continued) Levels include the following: Functional health literacy Interactive Critical Holistic

Health Literacy Is an Asset Health literacy is a quality that a person can develop. Being health literate is an asset and can improve one’s health outcomes, choices, and opportunities. Health improvements happen across different levels: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community.

Health Literacy Across the Life Span Youth who learn to maintain and improve their health can use those skills indefinitely. Health literacy skills span multiple health topic areas. Good health can affect other areas such as academic outcomes, concentration, and attendance.

Health Education Supports Health Literacy Well-designed health education can affect these aspects: Improving health knowledge, attitudes, and skills Improving health behaviors and health outcomes Improving educational outcomes improving social outcomes Health education can assist schools in meeting broader goals.

Improving Health Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes This is achieved in these ways: Implementing a comprehensive, skills-based program designed around the National Health Education Standards Including meaningful and relevant content to accompany each skill being taught

Improving Health Behaviors and Outcomes This is achieved in these ways: Elevating the focus and commitment to health, safety, and well-being Increasing access to high-quality health and safety education and health care Addressing the social determinants of health, safety, and well-being (continued)

Improving Health Behaviors and Outcomes (continued) Improving health and safety outcomes in key areas Eliminating disparities in health and well-being of adolescents and young adults

Improving Educational Outcomes This is achieved in these ways: Recognizing the health disparities faced by young people and addressing the causes Recognizing that student motivation to learn can be linked to health problems and disparity Increasing protective factors to serve as a support to health and academic outcomes

Improving Social Outcomes This is achieved in these ways: Implementing character education and social competency programs Creating a learning environment that fosters respect, honesty, and caring Teaching skills and information to break the cycle of risky behaviors in meaningful and relevant ways

Summary Health literacy affects an individual’s ability to achieve positive health outcomes. Health education’s goal is to develop students who are able to access, understand, appraise, and apply health information to maintain or enhance health for oneself and others. Schools must play an active role in teaching the knowledge and skills for students to be ready for college and careers