Role Of Health Literacy

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Health Literacy The role of health literacy is to help individuals to acquire skills to obtain, process, and understand the basic health information and services, which are needed in order to make appropriate health decisions (Wessling, 2010). In turn the necessity of health literacy provides a person with an improved quality of life, as well as, containing health costs for the U.S (Wessling, 2010). An article on the role of health literacy in reducing health disparities makes light of a study by the U.S. Department of Education, which found that close to eighty million adults do not have the ability to find or understand basic health related information, due to various barriers and factors (Horowitz, 2009). The purpose of this paper …show more content…
Other barriers to health literacy can be cultural and language related, as certain medical terminology would be difficult to understand, or often misinterpreted such as pandemic, immunize, or influenza (CDC, n.d.). Health literacy can be achieved by improving the usability of health information in a way that people understand what certain health issues, and treatments are and how to understand them (CDC, n.d.). All patients will benefit from support outside of a primary care setting, to help them make healthier choices and adhere to their treatment …show more content…
The expectations are to serve as a framework for curriculum development and selection, instruction and assessment in health education. Another one of their goals is the reinforcement of positive growth in health education, and challenging schools and communities to continue efforts toward excellence in health education (Guidance and Standards, 2014). In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health has provided the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (ClAS) Standards, assess cultural and language differences between those who provide information and services and those who receive them (Guidance and Standards, 2014). The organizations main standard is as

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