Health Literacy From a Pediatrician's Perspective: Health Literacy

Background

Since introduction of the health literacy concept in 1970's many definitions were suggested (Simonds, 1974). In 1998 World Health Organization (WHO) definition was “The cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of the individuals to gain access to understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health” (Nutbeam, 1998). In United States it was used to define relationship between the patient's literacy and compliance to the prescribed therapeutic regimen (Ad Hoc Committee on Health Literacy, 1999). European Union definition in 2007 was “The ability to read, filter and understand health information in order to form sound judgments” (European Commission, 2007). Australian Bureau of Statistics’ definition in 2008 was “The knowledge and skills required to understand and use information relating to health issues such as drugs and alcohol, disease prevention and treatment, safety and accident prevention, first aid, emergencies, and staying healthy” (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008). These definitions cover some important elements. a) Personal skills to understand the information b)The ability to filter and make good judgments (critical health literacy) c)To use the information to maintain a healthy life (to prevent disease, accidents, compliance to prescribed therapeutic regimen). It is important to discuss the contribution of good health literacy to a healthy life and factors effecting health literacy skills. These factors are related to individual's capacity, national health policy and organizations of the community. Health literacy study of America showed that about one thirds of the people had very low health literacy (Kutner et al, 2007). Another issue is the contents of the health information that should be given to community. As an experienced physician, the author thinks that preventive medicine has extreme importance. Information about clinical medicine can be gained when a patient developed a disease. In this setting, communication skills of the health care providers, training materials and organizations of the community will help to improve patient's skills for compliance to treatment. Poor school literacy and fundamental literacy is an obstacle for good health literacy. Printed media, mass media, TV broadcasts and internet may be used to improve health literacy but they may be also harmful by releasing unreliable information and advertising and marketing under the counter drugs.