Health Literacy Month :: Health Literacy Still an Issue in Canada via ABC Life Literacy

Health Literacy Still an Issue in Canada

@abclifeliteracy

Newswire: 9.27.2018 by ABC Life Literacy Canada

October is Health Literacy Month, a time to increase understanding of health information and for Canadians to take charge of their health. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 60 per cent of Canadian adults and 88 per cent of seniors are not health literate.

In recognition of Health Literacy Month, ABC Life Literacy Canada has developed nine new resources for patients and health care providers as part of the ABC Health Matters program. Good health literacy means being able to access, understand, evaluate, communicate and use information related to your health and the health of others to make appropriate health decisions.

The ABC Health Matters program was created to help Canadians to manage their health more effectively by increasing their confidence when talking about and making decisions regarding health issues. ABC Life Literacy developed a workbook-led workshop, delivered at community learning and health care centres across Ontario. =Through the program, adults develop a deeper understanding of how to advocate for their own health as well as the health of their family and gain a better understanding of how to access health care.

"It would be hard to find something more personal to someone than their health," said ABC Executive Director Mack Rogers. "It can be frustrating and sometimes frightening to feel as if you don't have control over your own health which is why we created the ABC Health Matters program. The program empowers Canadians to manage their health more effectively and increases their confidence in discussing their health issues with health care providers."

This year, additional resources were developed for the ABC Health Matters program to help Canadians take charge of their health during Health Literacy Month.

New resources available at ABCHealthMatters.ca include:

Make a Medical History Card
Health Passport
Caring for a loved one
Tips for your next Doctor Visit
You and Your Pharmacist
Your Rights as a Patient
Glossary of Health Words
Your Health Centres
Doing Health Math
MyUHN

Helpful Links

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