If you have ever been to the doctor and struggled to understand and use the information being shared with you, you are not alone. Two decades of research show that nearly 9 in 10 American adults struggle to understand critical health information available in health care facilities, retail outlets, media, and their communities.
So, what exactly is health literacy? A common misconception is that health literacy refers to a person’s ability to speak or read the English language well. While these certainly can be barriers, health literacy is a much bigger concept. It refers to how well a person can take in complex health information and analyze it in the face of other competing factors, such as the cost of health care, to make decisions that are well-reasoned and reflective of their values. The CDC defines health literacy in two ways, looking at both personal and organizational health literacy.
• Personal health literacy: 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.
• Organizational health literacy: the degree to which organizations equitably enable individuals to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.
According to research from the U.S. Department of Education, only 12% of English-speaking adults have proficient health literacy skills. Impaired health literacy affects people of all ages, races, income, and education levels, but disproportionately affects minorities and individuals in lower socioeconomic groups. It has been shown to limit a person’s ability to access and apply health information, alter behaviors/lifestyle to increase health, and understand and act on important public health information. It has also been shown to result in poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs, not to mention causing tremendous stress for the person struggling to make timely decisions regarding their own health or the health of a loved one.
To address health literacy on an institutional level, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy with goals of improving communication, education, and cultural sensitivity.
On an individual level, there are also some things you can do to improve your health literacy and outcomes when you go to medical appointments or communicate with medical professionals:
- Ask questions. If you don’t understand what you doctor is telling you, be sure to let them know and ask them to explain the information again using different words.
- Repeat what your doctor tells you in your own words. Doing this will allow you to make sure you understand what your doctor said and allow the doctor to correct any misconceptions.
- Bring a friend or loved one with to your appointment, if possible. They can be invaluable in taking notes for you and helping to remember all of the information given.
- Keep a running list of questions for your doctor. This way you will be able to ensure that you use your time with your doctor well and don’t leave the appointment with unanswered questions.
- Ask for a translator or bring one with you if needed. Many health systems provide free translators and having a translator can be key to communication if the doctor is not speaking your first language.
- Ask if there are hand-outs or other materials you can use to help you understand. It can be difficult to absorb information in the moment, so having something to refer back to can be very helpful.
- Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Everyone’s health is unique and your doctor will always be your best source of personalized information. Of course, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion if you feel it is needed!
