Health literacy as a challenge for health education

I Stars

doi:10.1051/shsconf/20184002004

Abstract

Scientific literature demonstrates a well-established correlation between education and health literacy; education and health outcomes; health literacy and health outcomes. Health literacy has a mediating role between education and health. Health literacy is known as a complex concept, it has multiple definitions, underlying meanings and conceptual models. Diversity of health literacy can be a challenging motivator for health education. In-depth study of scientific literature was carried out to highlight the link between health literacy and health education and to emphasize health literacy challenges for health education. Five health literacy challenges for health education were identified: 1) health literacy as an outcome related to health education interventions; 2) multi-layered health literacy or different levels of health literacy; 3) the concept of health literacy and its comprehensiveness; 4) shift from a passive to more interactive and empowering health education; 5) cultural context of health literacy and health education. Enhanced health literacy definitions and conceptual models require more complex, comprehensive, socially oriented, culture sensitive, participatory health education.

Highlights

The association between education and health is well researched, well established and strong [1]
Health literacy as an outcome related to health education interventions
Nutbeam [16, 18] notes that from public health perspective health literacy can be proposed as an outcome to health education and health communication activities

Summary

Introduction

The association between education and health is well researched, well established and strong [1]. Health literacy is defined as the cognitive and social skill that determines the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access, to understand and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health [6]. It is described as a discrete form of literacy [7], which is a context and content of specific literacy [8] that stands in its own. As health literacy affects health, health-related behaviour and health outcomes and comes to be a strong predictor of health, there is a need to develop, improve and promote health literacy among population. This theoretical and conceptual diversity of health literacy concept can be proposed as a challenging factor for public health and especially – for health education theory and practice

Results

Conclusions

Discussion