health literacy
Grasping medical information
Health literacy is a person's ability to find, understand, and use information about health and medical care.
Someone with low health literacy may struggle to read prescription labels, follow doctor's instructions, or navigate the healthcare system effectively.
The term encompasses both the skills individuals bring and how accessible health information is made by providers and institutions.
The clinic redesigned its forms to improve health literacy among patients.
- language proficiencyAbility in a tongue
- informed consentPermission given with understanding
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- smoking cessationDiscontinuing cigarette use
- healthcare systemsOrganized networks providing treatment
plain language · medical terminology · pill bottle · numeracy · critical thinking · blood pressure · vaccination · prevention · self-management · cultural competence · preventive care · readability · fine print · accessibility standards · patient portals · waiting room · lifestyle modification · prescription