Have you noticed? Health care is becoming more and more complex and can be difficult for most non-medical people to navigate. This has significant physical and financial consequences. If you don’t understand the doctor’s recommendations, the pharmacy instructions and the insurance billing summaries, how do you know you are receiving proper care at a fair price?
This issue hasn’t gone unnoticed and is the subject of much discussion by government agencies and researchers. The ability to obtain, process and understand basic health information in a manner that facilitates making proper health choices is described as health literacy. Health literacy rates in the U.S. are inadequate. Only 12% of the U.S. population are considered to have proficient health literacy. We are not alone. In Europe, nearly 50% of the population have limited health literacy. Highly educated people can also struggle with comprehending health care information. If you don’t understand how the body works or the words used by a health care provider then you might miss crucial instructions. Imagine trying to communicate to someone in a foreign language using only a handful of words you know. This leaves plenty of room for misunderstanding. In health care, this miscommunication can be dangerous.
Limited health literacy is a problem because what you don’t know can hurt and even kill you. People with complex health care regimens or those with diminished mental capacity because of their condition or anxiety may find themselves in situations where their comprehension maybe compromised. There are many examples of people becoming confused about their medications and taking too much or being given the wrong medication and not recognizing this. People sometimes stop prescribed treatments because they don’t like the side effects yet are unaware of the more serious damage they can cause by doing this. People with lower health literacy levels are more likely to be hospitalized, take their medications inappropriately, not utilize life-saving preventative care services and have poorer overall health.
Knowledge is power and understanding health information is the key to your wellness. When we seek health care we never imagine that the very care we request might lead to harm. This is a reality but we play a crucial role in our individual care and that of our families. You can position yourself to receive quality care and this starts by becoming an active participant in your health.
The consequences of low health literacy go unnoticed most of the time but it’s a gamble and at some point, the odds won’t be in your favor. There are things you can do to improve your chances. If you have a medical problem, learn as much as you can about the condition. Find out what causes it and how it may affect your continued good health. Learn the different treatment options and once you have been prescribed a treatment, educate yourself about it. Know what medications you are taking, the dosage, the side effects and the consequences of missing a dose. Ask your doctor if you can do anything to cure the problem so you don’t have to take medication for the rest of your life. Ask a family member or close friend to attend your appointments with you so there is a second set of ears to listen to counselling and instructions. Ask for written instructions or reference to websites or other material to educate yourself. Make sure you have the contact information for your provider and know where to call if you need more instructions or advice and in the event of an emergency.
If good health is a top priority for you then the first step is to become more health literate. There are many resources available to help you learn. Ask your healthcare provider for suggestions or search reputable sites such as the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institute for Health, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. There are many more and I encourage you to take advantage of every available resource to become engaged in your health. If you don’t make it a priority, no one else will.
