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Relationship Between Health Education and Health Literacy
Relationship Between Health Education and Health Literacy
Relationship Between Health Education and Health Literacy
HEALTH EDUCATION AND
HEALTH LITERACY
HEALTH EDUCATION
is a profession of educating
people about health.
can be defined as the principle
by which individuals and groups
of people, learn to behave in a
manner conducive to the
promotion, maintenance, or
restoration of health.
According to Ratzan, the term
“health literacy” was first used
in the health education
context about 30 years ago.
Today it is considered an
important concept not only
among health education
practitioners but also among
those involved in the broader
aspects of health promotion.
A definition of the term “health
literacy appeared in the WHO
Glossary where it was suggested
that “health literacy represents
the cognitive and social skills
which determine the motivation
and ability of individuals to gain
access to understand and use
information in ways which
promote and maintain good
health”.
HEALTH LITERACY
means more than being able to
read pamphlets and make
appointments.
Improving people’s access to
health information, and their
capacity to use it effectively,
health literacy is crucial to
“empowerment”.
People with low literacy have
poorer overall health.
Low literacy leads to misuse of
medication and misunderstanding
of health information.
Low literacy leads to preventable
use of health services, including
emergency care.
People with low literacy skills often
wait longer to seek medical help so
health problems reach a crisis state.
Rootman identified several reasons for
accepting the expanded definition of health
literacy:
Health literacy is a “key outcome from
health education” and the one that health
promotion could legitimately be held
accountable for.
it “significantly broadens the scope and
content of health education and
communication”, both of which are critical
operational strategies and health
promotion.
it helps strengthen the links between the
fields of health and education.
Health literacy, therefore can be
viewed as an outcome for effective
health education by increasing
individuals’ capacities to access
and use health information to
make appropriate health
decisions and maintain basic
health.
Public health must base its
messages on the theories and
principles of health education,
health communication and the
health literacy of the intended
audience.
THANK
YOU!