Health Literacy

Healthy People 2010 defined 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.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). Healthy People 2020 expanded on this concept by adopting a plan based on the principles that “(1) everyone has the right to health information that helps them make informed decisions and (2) health services should be delivered in ways that are understandable and beneficial to health, longevity, and quality of life” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012, p. 1).

Reference:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Healthy People 2020. Washington, DC. Available at http://www.health.gov/communication/hlactionplan/pdf/Health_Literacy_Action_Plan.pdf [Accessed 2/1/2012].

For this paper, you explore the relationship between health literacy and personal health and wellness. You also examine ways to promote health literacy as a future professional in the health field.

To prepare:

• Review Chapter 15 in Health: The Basics, 13th edition Edition. Focus on how health literacy affects consumer health and personal health and wellness.
• Review the article “Critical health literacy: A review and critical analysis.” Think about the impact of insufficient or lack of health literacy. Consider ways to promote health literacy.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post an explanation of the importance of health literacy to personal health and wellness. Then explain two ways health literacy can positively affect health and wellness and one consequence of poor health literacy. Finally, as a future professional in the field of health, describe one strategy you might use to promote health literacy and explain why you would use that particular strategy. (750 words)

PLEASE USE THE PROVIDED SOURCES ESPECIALLY THE TEXTBOOK!

Donatelle, R. J. (2019). Health: The basics (13th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson.

• Chapter 16 “Promoting Environmental Health”
• Chapter 15 “Making Smart Health Care Choices”

Chinn, D. (2011). Critical health literacy: A review and critical analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 73(1), 60–67.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Baxter, R. (1990). Some public attitudes about health and the environment. Environmental Health Perspectives, 86, 261–269.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Joyce, A., Dixon, S., Comfort, J., & Hallett, J. (2008). The cow in the room: Public knowledge of the links between dietary choices and health and environmental impacts. Environmental Health Insights, 1, 31–34.
The Cow in the Room: Public Knowledge of the Links Between Dietary Choices and Health and Environmental Impacts by Joyce, A., Dixon, S., Comfort, J., & Hallett, J., in Environmental Health Insights. Copyright 2008 by Libertas Academia. Reprinted by permission of Libertas Academia via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Required Media

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Personal Health and Wellness: Dimensions of Health Wheel [Multimedia], Baltimore, MD: Author.

• Dimension of Health: Week 6

Optional Resources