We Have A Health Literacy Problem, And It's Time To Face It Head-On via Forbes

We Have A Health Literacy Problem, And It's Time To Face It Head-On

Forbes: 5.06.2020 by Danny Tomsett

Nearly half of all Europeans have a “problematic” or worse level of health literacy. Only *12% of people in the U.S. have “proficient” health literacy, and 59% of adult Australians suffer from inadequate knowledge around their health.

Based on the populations of these three regions alone, a large swath of people are unable to make good decisions around their health. They don’t seek care when they need it, and they can't live healthy lifestyles. Some will be susceptible to misinformation and fraud.

It’s long been a problem desperately in need of addressing. But the outbreak of COVID-19 has exposed what health illiteracy looks like at its worst.

Of the billions around the world with poor health literacy, some of the most afflicted are also the most vulnerable to COVID-19, such as the elderly.

A snapshot of the key contributors to health illiteracy shows this. Poor access to education, cultural barriers, limited English proficiency, impenetrable medical jargon, and disabilities such as cognitive decline and learning difficulties make the health literacy bracket incredibly broad.  READ MORE ➤➤

Literacy Reports & Statistics

Health

Quick Guide to Health Literacy and Older Adults, US Dept of Health & Human Services

2019: Health Literacy in the 50 States, Health IQ (an Insurance Co.)

2018: How Health Literacy Got Started, Helen Osborne

2017: Hidden Cost of Healthcare System Complexity, Accenture

2015: Health Literacy & Patient Engagement, 12th Annual Report, US HHS Sep 2015

2011: Health Literacy Interventions Outcomes: Updated Systematic Rvw, AHRQ

2010: Health Literacy, NNLM

2010: Health Literacy: Accurate Accessible Actionable Health Info. for All, CDC

2009: Reaching America’s Health Potential Among Adults, RWJ Foundation

2009: Low Health Literacy, *NAAL 2003

2004: Literacy and Health in America, ETS

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