Health Literacy

Health Literacy

Introduction

Health literacy refers to the ability to understand medical information on health and the ability to use that information to one's health advantage and well being. Most people are overwhelmed by the advance literacy that may be required to gain health literacy (Murphy-Knoll, 2007). It is astonishing to see that the health literacy in one of the most developed nations of the world, the United States of America, is as low as 12 percent for adults aged 16 and above. With increase in the proliferation of internet, people have many online avenues where they seek for health information (Toofany, 2007). Some of this information is misleading and some is misinterpreted owing to low health literacy. The paper discusses the need to increase health literacy of people in the US and the role of nurses in the same.

Discussion

Nurses can play a very crucial role in increasing the health literacy of patients. Hence, they may be the best source of increasing the awareness among people on the importance of health literacy and implementing the strategies to do the same (Rudd, Anderson & Nath, 2007). The quality of care is highly dependent on nurses and improving the health literacy of patients is one of dimensions of quality care.

In my interaction with patients in find that most of them are very shy to ask. In this case, nurses can play a vital role through creating a shame free environment. Communication with the patients and their families can enhance the bond and the level of comfort that they feel in talking with nurses and other medical care providers (Advance for Nurses, 2012).

In this context, it is also imperative to state that health literacy is not about handing brochures and handouts for the information of the patient. these will remain unread or ...