Running Head: HEALTH LITERACY 1
Health Literacy
Name
Institution
Course
Date
2
HEALTH LITERACY
Health literacy
For the past two decades, the healthcare sector adopted different health literacy concepts
that have helped develop this system. Due to clarity and reliability in promoting the quality of
the health system's outcome, Healthy people 2010 offers the correct definition. Health literacy
refers to the degree to which the individuals have the degree to obtain, process and reflect on the
health information and services essential for quality decision making. The study by Noblin, Wan
& Fottler (2012) gives insight into the effectiveness of health literacy in improving the patient's
ability to analyze and understand the practitioners' materials. Besides the effectiveness of health
literacy, several issues such as the income levels, age and education levels within the community
may have a notable impact on health literacy and understanding levels. The study further
indicates that regardless of the minimal education that the patients have, the rate at which they
use the personal health record technology is relatively high.
The application of this technology has played an essential role in the healthcare system
by making the patients more knowledgeable of their health outcome. The relationship created
between a patient and the health providers allows the patients to learn the practices they need to
embrace to promote health. Improved communication between physicians and patients is one of
the main advantages of improved personal health record technology use. This communication
further allows the patients to get more engaged in healthcare processes. When creating the
communication process to be used in inpatient treatment, patient engagement is one factor that
enables the practitioners to make the right decision that may benefit all. For most engaged
communities, understanding the PHR's content, the diseases and the involved medications to
follow allows them to make the right choice that may promote the recovery rate. This
understanding's paramount importance is that it enables all patients to recognize the significant
3
HEALTH LITERACY
benefits of access to health information and the measures they need to follow for health
improvement.
The issue of socioeconomic differences recorded in the community causes health
disparities which may impact the decisions that all may make. By improving the health literacy
skills and the adoption process of this technology, health disparities for those in the low
economic status and the minority can be improved. This article further gives insight into the
main focus that needs consideration when addressing the health providers' educational privileges.
Additionally, since there are those members of the community who could not have enjoyed the
favourable fortune associated with health informatics and its effects, it is worth noting that
creating the right path and approach towards treatment may promote their attitude.
Collaboration is one factor in the healthcare sector that helps practitioners relate well
with other stakeholders and create the right treatment approach. This article argues about the
need to promote collaboration within the healthcare sector. Concerning the relationship between
collaboration and health literacy, the study points out the need to work closely with the local
communities and specifically the vulnerable communities to provide them with information that
may improve their PHR interpretation. Going through this article also addresses social justice in
the healthcare settings where the author focuses on finding ways that will promote health equity
and care for disadvantaged communities. To arrive at this, working together with all will allow
all the groups, regardless of the differences, to address the significant barriers, such as
educational disparities, that may influence health improvement.
4
HEALTH LITERACY
Reference
Noblin, A. M., Wan, T. T., & Fottler, M. (2012). The impact of health literacy on a patient's
decision to adopt a personal health record. Perspectives in health information
management, 9(Fall), 1–13
