Definition Of Health Literacy Research Articles

Health and oral health literacy: A comprehensive literature review from theory to practice.

Health literacy (HL) refers to an individual's ability to access, understand, and apply health information to make informed decisions about their health. On the contrary, oral health literacy (OHL) focuses on an individual's ability to understand and utilize oral health information to maintain good oral health. This study presents a comprehensive literature review that explores the theoretical foundations and practical applications of HL and OHL. A comprehensive search was conducted using keywords on the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The existing literature on various aspects of HL, including the most common used definitions of HL, conceptual frameworks, and consequences of limited health and OHL, was summarized. Additionally, the review discussed the significance of HL and OHL. Also, the relation between parent level of OHL and children's oral health was described. It further highlights modern approaches that have been shown in previous studies to improve the OHL of primary caregivers. Understanding the significance of HL and OHL is crucial in developing effective interventions that can address disparities and improve oral health outcomes for individuals of all backgrounds.

Become a Health Literacy Champion: Strategies to Promote Health Literacy in Athletic Training.

Health literacy is defined as "the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others."1 Individuals with health disparities are more likely to have poor health outcomes and misuse health care services due to low health literacy. This connection between health literacy and health disparities demonstrates the need for clinicians to provide health literate care. Athletic trainers serve as essential points of contact for diverse patient populations in a variety of health care settings. The 2023 Practice Analysis 8 recognizes health literacy as an essential responsibility; however, few practical resources exist, and research specific to athletic training is lacking. In this manuscript, we aim to provide a primer on health literacy definitions, concepts, and best practices adapted from public health to support implementation into athletic training clinical practice.

Health literacy in the context of child health promotion: a scoping review of conceptualizations and descriptions

BackgroundIncreasing health literacy (HL) in children could be an opportunity for a more health literate future generation. The aim of this scoping review is to provide an overview of how HL is conceptualized and described in the context of health promotion in 9–12-year-old children.MethodsA systematic and comprehensive search for ‘health literacy’ and ‘children’ and ‘measure’ was performed in accordance with PRISMA ScR in PubMed, Embase.com and via Ebsco in CINAHL, APA PsycInfo and ERIC. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and evaluated full-text publications regarding eligibility. Data was extracted systematically, and the extracted descriptions of HL were analyzed qualitatively using deductive analysis based on previously published HL definitions.ResultsThe search provided 5,401 original titles, of which 26 eligible publications were included. We found a wide variation of descriptions of learning outcomes as well as competencies for HL. Most HL descriptions could be linked to commonly used definitions of HL in the literature, and some combined several HL dimensions. The descriptions varied between HL dimensions and were not always relevant to health promotion. The educational setting plays a prominent role in HL regarding health promotion.ConclusionThe description of HL is truly diverse and complex encompassing a wide range of topics. We recommend adopting a comprehensive and integrated approach to describe HL dimensions, particularly in the context of health promotion for children. By considering the diverse dimensions of HL and its integration within educational programs, children can learn HL skills and competencies from an early age.

Organizational Health Literacy and Health Among New York State Medicaid Members.

The definition of health literacy has recently expanded beyond the idea of individual skills to include the system and environment the individual interacts with to receive care, known as organizational health literacy (OHL). However, neither the prevalence of OHL nor the impact of OHL on individuals' perceptions of their health and healthcare have been examined in New York's Medicaid managed care population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of organizational health literacy in the New York State (NYS) Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) program. A brief measure to assess organizational health literacy was developed from responses to two questions in the 2018 NYS Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey. Generalized Estimating Equation models were developed to analyze the association between organizational health literacy and three aspects of perceptions of health and health care, controlling for demographic differences and clustering effects from health insurance plans. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation. Among 3,598 members included in the study, 20% of the MMC members reported inadequate organizational health literacy. These members were more likely to be older, less educated, from racial and ethnic minority groups, and less fluent with English. They are more likely to have poorer self-reported health (odds ratio [OR] 1.49), lower perceived access to health care (OR 6.97), and lower satisfaction with their health care (OR 6.49) than members who did not report inadequate organizational health literacy. Our results suggest that a proportion of the NYS MMC population faces inadequate organizational health literacy, which can present a barrier to health care access and result in patients having a significantly poorer health care experience. Using an existing data source that is part of existing data collection allows for routine assessment of organizational health literacy, which can help inform health plans about areas for potential improvement. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2023;7(3):e154-e164.].

Evaluating computing students' digital skills and health literacy: A case from Bulgaria.

The main purpose of this article is to describe the importance and the challenges of digital health literacy as recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, basic definitions of health literacy and digital health literacy are provided, followed by, and matched against digital competence frameworks, and health literacy skills content and scales. Based on that, a compatibility analysis is provided, against the expectations for satisfactory levels definition for the respective competences and skills. For the approbation of the approach, results received from the participation of computing students at the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski in the COVID-19 Health Literacy Survey are used.

Health literacy, financial insecurity and health outcomes among people living with HIV in Australia

It is well documented that lower socio-economic status is associated with poorer health outcomes, while health literacy is considered important for improving health. What is less clear, is the extent to which greater health literacy can improve health outcomes among people for whom poverty or financial insecurity are important barriers to health. The paper presents findings from an Australian survey of people living with HIV (PLHIV) (N = 835) in which we explored the relationship between financial insecurity and health outcomes, looking at the extent to which health literacy mediates this relationship. The study drew on a comprehensive definition of health literacy, measuring participant's confidence to communicate with healthcare providers, navigate the health system and take an active stance in relation to their health. Findings showed that financial insecurity was associated with lower health literacy and poorer self-reported physical and mental health. Health literacy mediated 16.2% of the effect of financial insecurity on physical health scores and 16.6% of the effect of financial insecurity on mental health scores. This suggests that programmes which seek to build health literacy among PLHIV may improve health outcomes among PLHIV who are struggling financially. Health literacy programmes are likely to be effective if they build confidence and resourcefulness among people to engage with health information, decision-making and care.

Perceptions of mothers on child well-being, changes in everyday life and social sustainability: lessons learned from a community-based health promotion programme in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka

BackgroundFrom 2012 to 2015, a health promotion intervention (under a project called HADP) aiming to improve children’s well-being was implemented in Horowpathana, Sri Lanka. The donor organization reports positive results regarding children’s well-being and behaviour changes, but mixed results regarding its sustainability. A need for a complementary evaluation was therefore identified.The current study intended to provide a complementary evaluation at four months after the programme closure and to assess the sustainability of the HP intervention from the perspective of mothers who participated in the HADP. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the ethics review subcommittee of Faculty of Applied Sciences, RUSL.MethodsA descriptive qualitative study was carried out using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a convenient sample of 15 mothers who previously participated in HADP. Data analysis was done using the content analysis method.ResultsMothers attributed diverse perceptions in line with the theme of “health literacy”. Two sub-themes emerged: transformation for betterment and sustainability. The sub-theme of transformation for betterment consists of three categories: individual-level transformation, family-level transformation and social/community-level transformation. Sub-theme sustainability consists of two categories: (1) drivers/adaptations for continuation and (2) determinants that hinder the continuation.ConclusionsThe mothers’ perspectives were strongly related to the definition of health literacy, which emphasizes people’s ability to use health information to make “well-informed” decisions that incorporate a public health perspective. They also acknowledged the responsibility of social organizations to address health literacy. From a health promotion perspective, the findings of our study indicate that people and organizations can use their health literacy skills to improve the health and well-being of their community and its members. Further research is necessary to explore the factors that affect the sustainability of health promotion interventions in the long run.

Building a Health Literacy Indicator from Angola Demographic and Health Survey in 2015/2016.

Health literacy is a determinant factor for population health. It is important both for the prevention of health problems and the better management of those problems and unexpected situations that happen. Low health literacy has been consistently associated with poor health outcomes. This study aimed to develop a health literacy indicator for Angola and to analyze pertinent demographic characteristics related to it. Data were obtained from the first Angola Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2015/16; we included 10 questions related to the American National Academy of Medicine definition of health literacy. Using factor analysis, we extracted one i indicator corresponding to four dimensions of health literacy. The indicator was dichotomized, and we used Logistic Regression to estimate factors associated with health literacy level: we obtained data from 19,785 adolescents and adults, aged 15–49 years. The internal consistency of the i indicator was reliable (Cronbach’s α = 0.83). Adjusting for other variables, males with complete secondary education or above and living in urban areas were more likely to have a high level of health literacy. There were substantial differences between the 18 regions. This is the first study evaluating health literacy in Angola using the American National Academy of Medicine definition and a Demographic and Health survey. Our study shows unfavorable results for women, individuals living in rural areas and those less educated.

Definitions and measurement of health literacy in health and medicine research: a systematic review

ObjectivesThe way health literacy is understood (conceptualised) should be closely linked to how it is measured (operationalised). This study aimed to gain insights into how health literacy is defined and...

International Understandings of Health Literacy in Childhood and Adolescence-A Qualitative-Explorative Analysis of Global Expert Interviews.

(1) Background: With regard to children and adolescents, health literacy should only not be understood as an individual ability, but rather as dependent based on its contextual determinants. The study examines how experts define health literacy in childhood and adolescence and discusses whether they include these factors. (2) Methods: In 48 interviews with experts from 32 countries, specific questions for defining health literacy in childhood and adolescence were analyzed. Data analysis was conducted according to the summary of the qualitative content analysis. Main categories and subcategories were developed exploratively and inductively. (3) Results: No expert had an official definition of health literacy in childhood or adolescence. There were more experts who located health literacy only at the individual level alone than those who located it at both the individual and contextual levels. On the individual level, there was a focus on information processing, knowledge, behavior, and skills. At the contextual level, system responsibility, the ability of others, and relationship between age and development were the main points. (4) Conclusions: To develop an adequate method of dealing with health literacy in the target group, there must be a target group-specific consideration of the dependencies, ages, and developmental stages of that group. While this is considered as consensus in scientific discourse, it has seemingly not yet been adopted in development-related policies internationally.

Organizational Health Literacy in Oral Health: A Multilevel Perspective

Healthy People 2030 has been released and includes new health literacy definitions that more fully reflect it as a multidimensional concept connected to the social and structural determinants of health.

The missing link: Towards an integrated health and information literacy research agenda

Information forms one of the main commonalities shared between definitions of health literacy. However, information literacy research, which centres how people become informed within a specific setting, has been almost completely sidelined from health literacy scholarship. This oversight risks limiting understanding of how health literacy is practised as well as narrowing research discourses. It also forms a missed opportunity as the recent sociocultural turn creates a valuable point of synergy between each field. This paper carries out a narrative literature review to identify key areas where information literacy research could help to extend understanding about how people interact with information within health contexts. Centred on exploring theoretical and empirical work, the paper uses examples from literature to suggest that assumptions related to how information, models of information use, social dynamics of information environments, the outcomes of information activity and critical approaches to information practice are understood impact the scope and the reach of health literacy research and practice. The goal of this paper is to establish an initial, shared research agenda that places health and information literacy in dialogue rather than in isolation from each other.

The importance of health literacy for self-management: A scoping review of reviews.

Self-management of chronic diseases is rather complex, especially for patients with limited health literacy. In this review, we aim to disentangle the specific difficulties patients with limited health literacy face in relation to self-management and their associated needs with respect to self-management support. We performed a literature search in five databases. We used a broad definition of health literacy and self-management was categorized into four types of activities: medical management, changing lifestyle, communicating and navigating through the health care system and coping. Included reviews described the relationship between health literacy and different domains of self-management and were published after 2010. A total of 28 reviews were included. Some clear difficulties of patients with limited health literacy emerged, predominantly in the area of medical management (especially adherence), communication and knowledge. Other associations between health literacy and self-management were inconclusive. Barriers from the patients' perspective described mainly medical management and the communication and navigation of the health care system. Patients with limited health literacy experience difficulties with specific domains of self-management. For a better understanding of the relationship between health literacy and self-management, a broader conceptualization of health literacy is warranted, including both cognitive and behavioural aspects.

"The Way you Interpret Health": Adolescent Definitions and Perceptions of Health Literacy.

Adolescents are required to take increased responsibility for their health. Although health literacy is implicated in adults' health decision-making and health behaviors, little is known about adolescents' health literacy and its relationship to their health behaviors. Furthermore, adolescent health literacy research overlooks adolescent development-specific needs and skills. Therefore, we qualitatively explored adolescents' (1) definitions of health literacy, preventive health behaviors, and health risk behaviors; and (2) perception of the health literacy/health behavior relationship. Six semi-structured focus groups were conducted with adolescents (N=37) who answered questions about their perceptions of health literacy, preventive health behaviors, and health risk behaviors. Focus groups were coded using thematic analysis. Themes representing adolescents' definitions of health literacy were secondarily coded for alignment with definitions in the literature. Some of adolescents' health literacy definitions aligned with the adult health literacy literature. They considered health literacy a tool for informed decision-making, but acknowledged not always using these skills. Adolescents' definitions of health literacy were multidimensional, going beyond numeracy and literacy skills. Developmental characteristics and adolescents' definition of health risk behaviors were related to use of health literacy skills. Opportunities for adolescents to develop and practice health literacy skills are discussed.

A radiation therapist's guide to health literacy: A narrative review.

Radiation therapist (RT) communication plays an essential part of patient‐centred care in achieving better patient outcomes within radiation oncology. Patients present from a range of social circumstances, education levels and cultural backgrounds, all of which may significantly impact their level of health literacy (HL). Using literature sourced from databases such as EMCare Nursing & Allied Health Database, MEDLINE(R) and APA PsycInfo, this narrative review explores HL definitions, international comparison rates and indications of individual low HL. It also reviews HL assessments as well as exploring enablers and barriers to HL from the RT perspective. Strategies from both the individual or organisational perspective are provided for RTs to begin or continue their HL interest. By educating the radiation therapy profession about health literacy and making small changes in interpersonal interactions, there is the opportunity to impact patients’ experiences and outcomes significantly.

Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Patients in Audiology-Part 2: Promoting Health Literacy

Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Patients in Audiology-Part 2: Promoting Health Literacy

Updating Health Literacy for Healthy People 2030: Defining Its Importance for a New Decade in Public Health.

Healthy People 2030, the fifth iteration of the Healthy People initiative, provides science-based national health objectives with targets to improve the health and well-being of Americans. For the first time since its 1979 establishment, the Healthy People framework aims to attain health literacy as an overarching goal and foundational principle to achieving health and well-being. Growing literature on health literacy describes it as a concept not solely reliant on individual capabilities but also on organizations' ability to make health-related information and services equitably accessible and comprehensible. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates the Healthy People objectives each decade based on the most current science. For the development of Healthy People 2030, HHS drew on recommendations from the Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2030 (Secretary's Advisory Committee), an independent advisory committee of national health experts, to update the 20-year old individual-focused Healthy People definition of health literacy. HHS solicited input from members of the public and users on the proposed changes to that definition. HHS published a Federal Register notice to solicit public comments, which were qualitatively analyzed by government staff. The 2 separate analyses revealed plurality support for improving the definition to focus on both individual and organizational roles in health literacy. Results led HHS subject matter experts to update the definition to include definitions of personal health literacy and organizational health literacy. Healthy People 2030's expanded health literacy definition reflects the most current science and input from the Secretary's Advisory Committee, public comments, and HHS subject matter experts. The updated definition is intended to advance Healthy People 2030's health literacy goals particularly as more organizations in public health and other sectors acknowledge their role in the delivery of quality health information and services.

Health Literacy in Multiple Sclerosis patients: A Concept Analysis Using the Evolutionary Method.

Introduction: Health literacy is one of the effective factors in health promotion of chronic patients. However, little attention has been paid to it; no exact and clear definition of health literacy has ever been accessible in chronic diseases. This study was conducted with aim of defining and clarifying attributes, antecedents, and consequences of health literacy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.Methods: Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis was used to clarify the concept of health literacy in MS patients. A literature review was conducted with key terms "multiple sclerosis", "health literacy", "information literacy", "functional health", "health education", "health promotion" and "health behavior". Eight hundred and sixty papers for the period 1980– 2019 were found and finally 23 articles and texts were selected for the analysis. Data analysis was carried out using a thematic analysis.Results: Health literacy in MS patients is a multidimensional concept with forth attributes: health information evaluation, understand disease and its related issues, reading skills and capacity to use knowledge. Ability to read and comprehend, interacting with health personnel, and interacting with peers as an antecedents and improved self-care, health promotion, medication adherence, and decreased use of health care services to be the consequences of these attributes were found.Conclusion: The findings can add knowledge about the concept of health literacy in MS patients. Also, health care professionals can use a deeper understanding of the concept of health literacy in providing care plan for MS patients.

Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Nutrition Literacy in Adolescents

Introduction: Nutrition literacy (NL) is a recently emerged concept related to health literacy (HL). The need for an instrument to measure NL has become increasingly urgent. Our objective is to document the validation of an instrument that measures NL in Mexican adolescents. Methods: We developed an instrument based on the definition of HL proposed by the European Health Literacy Project (HLS-EU). After adapting the HL dimensions and skills to nutrition, we built a matrix with 12 sub-dimensions and obtained 48 items for measuring the NL concept. Versions of the instrument were sequentially validated based on the judgment of experts, an evaluation with the population, a pilot trial and an analysis of the measurement model. Results: Expert judgment and evaluation corroborated the pertinence of the themes and language employed. Piloting enabled us to fine tune operational issues and establish the final version of the instrument. Lastly, an analysis of the model showed consistency and internal validity in the three model dimensions, which yielded a Cronbach alpha coefficient above 0.85. Discussion: We consider it both necessary and urgent to measure and monitor NL, contributing to the formulation of public policies grounded in evidence. Incorporating NL measurements into national surveys on health and nutrition.

Literasi Kesehatan: Suatu Konsep Analisis

Objective: to clarify the definition of health literacy and its attributes and provide guideline for future researchMethods: Eight step of concept analysis from Walker and Avant use in this article. Data source use reviewed from search engine (Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar), dictionaries, journal articles, and the WHO website, using keywords: health, literacy and health literacy.Results: this concept analysis of health literacy found six attributes such as reading and numerical skill, oral and written communication, comprehension and capability to use and access information. Implication for nursing practice should be encouraged health outcome.Conclusion: Concept health literacy will change quickly depend on many factors. Exsploration needed to develop theory and used in nursing practice, education and research.