The Importance Of Health Literacy

Introduction

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to obtain, communicate, synthesize and understand the basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions to benefit their health (About health literacy, 2013). Being able to communicate, process and interpret health information helps individuals learn the essential steps needed to make sound decisions that will prolong lives. Low health literacy has negative impacts on an individual's health status and their ability to access health care and other health services and resources around them. The majority of Canadians who are considered to have lower health literacy are seniors followed by adults (Romagnoli, 2013). Roughly, 88% of seniors and 60% of adults in Canada are health illiterates (About Health Literacy, 2013). It is estimated that six out of ten Canadian adults lack the literacy skills needed to adequately manage their health and health care needs (Fact sheet, 2008). Research has shown that Canadians with lower health literacy skills are more than 2.5 times more likely to have poor health compared to Canadians with higher health literacy due to their inability to process and understand health related materials (Fact sheet, 2008). This paper aims to emphasize the role and importance of health literacy in relation to sexually transmitted infections in youth and the promotion of sexual health among the elderly.

Role of Health Literacy in Relation to STI’s ans Sexual Health Promotion

Sexually transmitted infections and sexual health promotion among individuals are sensitive Public Health issues that need to be addressed with care (STI’s in Niagara youth, 2014). Many people find it really difficult to talk about thei...

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...ly transmitted infections and improving the health of the population (Nutbeam, 2006).

Conclusion

Health literacy plays a critical role in our everyday knowledge about health. In Canada, a large proportion of seniors and adults are considered to be health illiterate. Lower health literacy means poor health due to the fact that people with low health literacy have difficulties accessing and using health information to make informed decisions about their health. Health literacy uses plain language to transmit sensitive information about the benefits, the risk and where individuals can access health information to improve their sexual health. This encourages people to seek information, navigate the health system care, engage in meaningful conversation with physicians, health promoters and educators and adopt behaviors that will enhance their sexual and overall health.