The importance of health literacy as a health issue has been reinforced by the report Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion produced by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in the US. They describe health literacy as "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions" p32.

Health literacy is more than just poor reading skills. Health literacy affects an individual's capacity to both absorb and act on health information. There can be substantial personal and community costs associated with poor health literacy. [1,2]

In Australia only just over half of those aged 15 to 74 years have the literacy skills necessary to meet the complex demands of everyday work and life. [3] 

A number of initiatives exist with regard to health literacy. Some look at identifying those at risk of poor health literacy and helping them develop their skills. Others seek to raise awareness among health professionals to strengthen the communication within the clinical environment. Yet others have looked at improving readability and presentation of printed information. [4] The Centre for Evidence Based Practice for the Underserved (US) provides an introduction to Health Literacy Assessment Tools and Assessing Suitability of Written Materials.

Health literacy issues have also been recognised in palliative care with a survey of printed information in 2000 showing that 64% of the materials could be understood by only 40% of the population. [5] The End of Life / Palliative Education Resource Center (EPERC) at the Medical College of Wisconsin has produced Fast Fact And Concept #153: Health Literacy in Palliative Medicine.

Finding out more 
Centre for Health Care Strategies (US) Health Literacy Fact sheets

References

1. Berkman ND, DeWalt DA, Pignone MP, Sheridan SL, Lohr KN, Lux L, Sutton SF, Swinson T, Bonito AJ. Literacy and Health Outcomes. Evidence Report/Technology  Assessment No. 87 (Prepared by RTI International–University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0016). AHRQ Publication No. 04-E007-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. January 2004
2. Green J Health Literacy: Terminology and Trends in Making and Communicating Health  Related Information Health Issues 2007 92
3. Australian Bureau of Statistics 4228.0 - Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, Summary Results, Australia, 2006 (Reissue)
4. Pignone M, DeWalt D,Sheridan S, Berkman N, Lohr K  Interventions to Improve Health Outcomes for Patients with Low Literacy J Gen Intern Med. 2005 Feb;20(2):185-92
5. Payne S, Large S, Jarrett N, Turner P. Written information given to patients and families by palliative care units: a national survey Lancet. 2000 May 20;355(9217):1792.

 This page was created on 14 May 2008 and is due for review in May 2010