Health Literacy Definition and Importance

Health Literacy Definition and Importance

• Health literacy is the ability to access, process, and understand health information to make sound decisions.
• Pharmacists are crucial in improving patient health literacy, enabling informed choices and better health outcomes.

Consequences of Low Health Literacy

• Inappropriate use of emergency services: Patients may misuse emergency services due to difficulty distinguishing urgent from non-urgent issues.
• Extended hospital stays: Difficulty managing health conditions can lead to longer hospitalizations and increased expenses.
• Misinterpretation of treatment plans: Patients may misunderstand medications, leading to non-adherence and complications.
• Poor health outcomes: Low health literacy is correlated with worse overall health and higher mortality rates.

National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL)

• NAAL measures literacy levels in the U.S.
• NAAL levels:
• Level 1 (Below Basic): Understands simple text, struggles with complex tasks.
• Level 2 (Basic): Manages routine math but struggles with inferences & charts in tasks like dosage calculations.
• Level 3 (Intermediate): Summarizes text, locates facts, performs calculations, navigates health information effectively.
• Level 4 (Proficient): Strong analytical skills, applies complex health information.

Four Domains of Health Literacy

• Fundamental Domain: Basic literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking, calculation).
• Scientific Domain: Understanding scientific concepts (organ functions, medical tests, health risks).
• Cultural Domain: Considering cultural beliefs and customs that influence health decisions & practices.
• Civic Domain: Engaging in public health discussions, advocating for policies, influencing community health outcomes.

Risk Factors for Low Health Literacy

• Age over 65
• Less than a high school education
• Low income
• English as a second language

Topic-Specific Health Literacy

• Patients with overall good health literacy may still have difficulty with complex diseases requiring tailored communication.

Assessing Patient Understanding

• Open-ended questions: Encourage patients to explain their understanding.
• Teach-back method: Have patients repeat information in their own words to clarify misunderstandings.

Health Beliefs and Literacy

• Respecting diverse patient beliefs (religious, moral, cultural) fosters trust and communication.
• Examples of beliefs affecting healthcare: refusal of blood transfusions, opposition to specific treatments, preferences regarding end-of-life care.

Health Belief Model

• Perceived Susceptibility: Assessment of disease risk.
• Perceived Severity: Belief about the disease's impact.
• Benefits of Action: Belief in the effectiveness of preventive measures.
• Barriers to Action: Obstacles preventing action (cost, time, inconvenience).

Written Education Materials

• Target audience: Aim for 5th-grade reading level for broad accessibility.
• Key features:
• Visual aids (pictures, diagrams).
• Simple language (avoid medical jargon).
• Clear sentence structure.
• Culturally appropriate images (diverse representation).

Health Disparities

• Population Health: Focuses on health outcomes for a specific group.
• Healthy People 2030: Initiative to improve population health through research, goals, and interventions.
• Social Determinants of Health: Factors affecting health outcomes (economic, social, environmental).
  • Categories include economic stability, education, healthcare, neighborhood and built environment, social context.
• Health Disparities: Preventable differences in health outcomes due to social disadvantages and inequities in social determinants of health.
• Examples: Lower primary care access, higher obesity rates among children in poverty, increased smoking prevalence.

Pharmacy-Specific Disparities

• Examples: Lower use of asthma controllers, uncontrolled hypertension.
• Pharmacist roles in addressing disparities: education, advocating for access, culturally competent care, addressing language barriers.

Cultural Competency

• Knowledge: Understanding diverse cultures.
• Education and Training: Acquiring culturally sensitive skills.
• Critical Reflection: Examining personal biases.
• Cross-Cultural Communication: Developing effective strategies.
• Patient Advocacy and Empowerment: Supporting patient needs and decisions.

Strategies for Communication

• Varied media and clear language: Using multiple formats and simple language.
• Teach-back method: Confirming understanding.
• Interpreters: Providing access to interpreters.
• Repetition and rephrasing: Reinforcing key points.
• Avoid assumptions: Always assess and clarify.

Health Equity

• Ensuring fair opportunities for all to reach their health potential.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding population health, health disparities, and health equity.
• Addressing social determinants of health to reduce disparities.
• Recognizing health literacy and health disparity connections.
• Developing cultural competency for patient-centered care.
• Prioritizing effective communication for patient understanding and empowerment.