A theory-based approach to improving health literacy.

A theory-based approach to improving health literacy

Reference:

Ross, W., Culbert, A., Gasper, C., & Kimmey, J. (2009). A theory-based approach to improving health literacy. St. Louis: Missouri Health Foundation.

Health literacy, as defined by the 2004 Institute of Medicine report, Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion, is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic information and services needed to make appropriate decisions regarding their health. 1

Of equal import is the belief that improved health literacy benefits society as a whole1 ; consequently, efforts to ameliorate the health and economic burden of populations with low health literacy remains the responsibility of a broad swath of stakeholders in the U.S. An effective strategy to improve health literacy should incorporate multi-level interventions that in practice promote partnerships among individuals and their families, educators, health providers and community stakeholders, and policy-makers at the local, state, and federal level. 21-22 Collectively, such an empowered group would be able to access the requisite social, financial and political capital needed to “move the needle” towards improved population health.

A-Theory-Based-Approach-to-Improving-Health-Literacy.pdf (researchgate.net)

  Health literacy is associated with a low quality of life 

 Low health literacy is a significant issue in Missouri

 Low health literacy disproportionately affects marginalized and underserved populations 

 Responsibility in improving health literacy resides in the entire community

Inherent in these assumptions is the belief that health literacy is influenced not just by cognitive, individualistic characteristics, but by the cumulative impact of social, economic, and environmental factors. 22