Health Literacy: Take Control of Your Health

You walk out of your doctor’s office with more questions than answers. The doctor wrote a prescription for you, but you’re not sure why the doctor prescribed it. Was it for diabetes? Cholesterol? If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. 90% of Americans struggle to understand and use health information. Understanding this information and knowing what to do is vital for your health.

The good news is you can do something about it today with 3 steps.

What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy is how well a person can find, understand, and use information to make decisions about their health. This can be something as simple as someone who has been diagnosed with diabetes knowing what foods to avoid, so that they can keep their blood sugar at the right level.

Health literacy is not a reflection of someone’s intelligence or education level. It’s all about getting the information you need so that you can make the best decisions for your health every day.

Why is health literacy important?

Better health literacy means better outcomes. Health literacy can help reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and medication errors. It can even help you save thousands of dollars by preventing unnecessary costs.

What you can do now to improve your health literacy.

1. Ask questions

Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re not sure about something. You can even write down questions before your appointments to help you remember what to ask.

Here are a few examples:

• What condition do I have and what do I need to do about it?
• Is my condition treatable or reversible?
• Can my condition be prevented?
• Do I need to take medication and for how long?
• How much will it cost?
• Is there an alternative treatment available?
• Can you explain that in another way?
• Is there something that you can give me that has more information?

2. Keep a list of all the medications you take

Keep a current list of the medications you take, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. Include dosages, strengths, how often you take it, and why you take it.

Your doctor may not have all of your medications listed in your profile, especially if you are a new patient or are seeing multiple doctors.

By having a list of these medications and letting your healthcare provider know what you take, you can help prevent dangerous drug interactions or unwanted reactions.

‍

3. Use trusted sources to get more information

You may want to look up more information about your health. Even though there is plenty of information available on the internet, not all of it is accurate or correct. Using the wrong information, especially from unverified sources, can be dangerous — it can come at the cost of your health or even your life.

Use trusted resources such as those provided by professional medical organizations or government websites. Some examples include: the American Medical Association (AMA), World Health Organization (WHO), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has information on how to find reliable health information online. To find out how, you can click here or see the link provided in the references section below.

Take Action Today

You don’t need a degree or certification to better understand your health and make healthier decisions. It starts with just three steps: asking questions, being informed, and knowing where to get reliable information. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can make a difference in your health.  Remember: you are your greatest advocate.

‍

_References

_{Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Talking Points About Health Literacy}

_{Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): What is Health Literacy?}

_{National Institutes of Health (NIH): How To Find Reliable Health Information Online}

_{National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Building the Case for Health Literacy: Proceedings of a Workshop}

_{This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information is subject to change. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on medical issues and before starting, changing or terminating any medical treatment.}

‍