Health Literacy and Societal Costs of Low Health Literacy
In a post of 175 – 200 words, discuss the following:
- What is health literacy, how is it built and how is it related to vulnerability? Give some examples.
- What do you think authors Levy and Royne mean when they assert that society, as a whole, bears the burden of low literacy (hint: this is a required reading for this module!). Can you think of an example in your own experience?
Post your original posting by midnight Thursday and respond to at least 2 other students during the week.
- To avoid point loss, carefully follow all assignment instructions and rubric guidelines
- Complete your original post before 11:59 p.m. Thursday, EST
- Complete at least 2 peer replies before 11:59 p.m. Sunday, EST
- Note that responses to instructor comments do not count toward the minimum number of peer replies
- Review these Discussion Forum Posts Examples.docx to get a better sense of what is expected for discussion content and participation
- Provide properly formatted citations/references for all source material (see APA 7th Guide )
- Do not use any quoted or copied material
Health Literacy and Vulnerable Populations
Health literacy is defined in Health People 2020 as: “The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” (READ MORE). Health literacy is not limited to the ability to read. It also includes possessing the skills necessary to access and negotiate the healthcare system, as well as the ability to understand instructions, prescription orders, medical education brochures, doctor s directions, and consent forms (READ MORE) In this module, you will explore some of the research that links health literacy to inequities in health outcomes and health disparities in vulnerable populations.
Required Readings
- The Impact of Consumers Health Literacy on Public Health
- Market Watch: Health Literacy
- Informed Patients
Important Note: Review the Snapshot for Module 8 Due Dates!