Health literacy as a challenge for health education

Abstract

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. Indepth 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) multilayered 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.

Effects of Access to Information on Health Literacy in Pregnant Women

“…Women who participated in group care showed increased health literacy by showing greater understanding of how to implement health messages [16]. Health literacy has been recognized as one of the determinants of health and has become one of the goals of public health development [17]. Health literacy is the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and health services that aim to make the right health decisions, and have developed into contributors to health status.…”

Health literacy in preventing the spread of COVID-19 based on community

“…Based on this understanding, there was a close relationship between literacy and health education, where health literacy was a more targeted and specific health education product. The Nutbeam concept which considered health literacy as part of health education was different from the description of Stars (2018) which stated that health literacy was actually a challenge for health education which was based on five factors, namely 1). Health literacy as an outcome related to health education interventions 2).…”

“…A paradigm shift from passive education to more interactive and empowering 5). The cultural context of health literacy and health education (Stars, 2018). This indicated that health literacy with its conceptual model was more complex, comprehensive, socially oriented, culturally sensitive and participatory than health education.…”

Percepção dos pais sobre as práticas de educação em saúde na Unidade Neonatal

“…A educação em saúde organizada e estruturada tem sido considerada a principal via para melhorar a LS, ou seja, a capacidade da pessoa aceder, compreender, avaliar e usar a informação em saúde para tomar decisões, de acordo com as suas escolhas, e implementar ações acertadas em saúde 11 . Porém, requer uma abordagem que englobe todos os níveis de LS (funcional, interativa e crítica) e não apenas o funcional, com o recurso a metodologias mais interativas, que não se limitem à transmissão diretiva da informação, mas que sejam empoderadoras 12 . Para além das capacidades individuais e das condições sociais, a capacidade de interpretar informação em saúde irá depender da facilidade com que esta é apresentada pelos sistemas de saúde 13 .…”