Effects of Low Health Literacy

Effects of Low wellness LiteracyImogen ParkerThis assignment leave al adept discuss wellness literacy, its various influences and the effect of measly wellness literacy levels on persons and communities. The various orders and strategies that view as been devised to everyeviate number 1 wellness literacy will likewise be examined. Since the World wellness establishments Alma Ata Declaration (WHO 1978), simple wellness give care strategies and methods of efficient communication go done been established to promote wellness and improve wellness literacy. This essay will draw on examples of primary health care strategies employed in Australian communities and various methods for improving health literacy that can be actioned by health professionals and the wider health dust.The concept of health literacy can be delimit as the capacity of individuals to understand, access and apply health related instruction and services to maintain physical, mental and societal well being (WHO, 2009).wellness literacy is demand in allowing individuals the top executive to comprehend their own wellness or illness, set informed health decisions and seek appropriate and timely care with this comprehension.In 2012, 59% of Australians aged 15-74 years had inadequate levels of health literacy (AIWH 2012). Individuals health can be negatively affected in numerous shipway and to different degrees by low health literacy levels. For example, individuals with deplorable literacy comprehension whitethorn be unable to complete person-to-person detail or swallow forms that are necessary for consultation or treatment by health care professionals. This may backsheesh to the individual abandoning their attempt to access health care due to the embarrassment surrounding poor literacy skills, or for awe of being met with unhelpful condescension by health care professionals. Additionally, individuals with low literacy may be unable to comprehend essential discipline in mediums much(prenominal) as pamphlets, prescriptions or medication instructions. This lack of comprehension could have dire consequences for the individual they may choose to take no medication, or incorrectly administer their medication which could result in harmful situation effects. These consequences indicate a failure on the part of the health system or the health care provider, as they have either failed to finish up understanding during consultation with patients or have communicated or presented information in a way that is inaccessible for individuals with low literacy levels.wellness literacy not and concerns individual health behaviour and lifestyle decisions, scarcely requires an understanding of the wider societal influences on health.Social determinants of health such as income and employment, tuition and social exclusion (among a myriad of other factors) can affect an individuals capacity to be health literate and health literacy itself is one of these determina nts. (WHO 2009)Lower socioeconomic location has been historically attributed to lower literacy levels, which in produce affects the ability to be health literate. The social gradient is a heavy(p) determinant of health the lower the individual sits on the social discriminate ladder often correlates with poorer health outcomes. (WHO 2003) It is unmistakable that social, educational and economic inequalities get to the commodification of health care manything that the privileged can access and the disadvantaged may struggle to access and utilise. The effect of low health literacy in continuative with socio-economic background can be observed through examining health status among the population of Australia. Chronic illnesses with high prevalence such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and cancer can be influenced by try factors such as obesity and tobacco smoking. (Department of Health 2012) Such luck factors can be inextricably linked to the aforementio ned illnesses and may also indicate the socio-economic status and health literacy level of the individuals who are affected. For example, an individual who was discharged or had little income may be more likely to corrode processed viands as it is dramatically less(prenominal) expensive and less labour intensive to prepare than fresh, more nutritious ingredients. Inexpensive, processed food is often high in fat and low in nutrition, but can be purchased inexpensively and often in large quantities making it an economical option. However affordable, regular consumption of these products can lead to individuals adequate over weight and potentially obese, which in turn can lead to subsequent conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is evident that societal and economic structures can influence health status deeply and present barriers to nice health that are fundamentally difficult for individuals to catch up with (WHO 2003).The role of the healthcare syst em, health professionals and neater society must be examined and modified if health literacy is to be ameliorated. If achieving health literacy is to be a goal, some rediscovery of the importance of health education needs to occur, together with a profound widening of the content and methods used (Nutbeam 2006).The Primary Health Care overture aims to minimize health inequality amongst social classes and encourage good health for everyone. Primary health care beams and evolves from the economic conditions and sociocultural and governmental characteristics of the country and its communities (WHO 1978). Accordingly, health care providers must facilitate patients understanding and ability to self-manage their health by presenting health information that is accessible for individuals of all literacy levels. In direct communication with patients or clients, health professionals can employ the teach-back method to ensure comprehension by the patient. This provides an opportunity for questions to be asked and clarification to be achieved, thus promoting health literacy (Egbert Nanna 2009). The application of primary health care has been demonstrated as essential in addressing low health literacy and poor health status in Indigenous communities throughout Australia. One outline for improving health literacy from a young age is the Family Planning standoff of Western Australia (FPWA) Mooditj program a companionship based sexual health education program for Indigenous youth in remote and verdant areas. The program aims to educate individuals in early adolescence on sexual health and related issues. Mooditj uses informal discussion techniques to encourage participation and openness, and culturally pertinent art and role playing activities to address sensitive topics concerning sexual and steamy health. The cultural and social relevance of the program was determined effectively through recognition of the various social determinants and cultural influences occ urring throughout the community it served. The development involved extensive consultation with members of the community, parents and Aboriginal Elders regarding relevant health issues, effective methods of information delivery and ensuring that local language and customs were incorporated. Indigenous community members can be trained to deliver the Mooditj course and the sharing of information and experience between Mooditj facilitators and participants is encouraged in order to strengthen the ace and scope of the program. The Pika Wiya Health Service in Port Augusta, SA provides the degenerative disease self-management course, Life Improvements for Everyone (LIFE) to improve health literacy and health status in Indigenous communities. The LIFE program is peer-led and community focused, aiming to bridge health inequalities between the indigenous population and the wider Australian population. The program utilises individual care plans for clients with degenerative illnesses (such as diabetes and heart disease) that are culturally appropriate and specific to their personal capabilities, health circumstances and goals. Both Mooditj and LIFE are consistent with the primary health care approach as the programs have been tailored to guinea pig the health needs of the community with respect for culture and social circumstances. Furthermore, such programs can facilitate increased community capacity and engagement in health education, contributing to improving levels of health literacy.The essence of successful health education programs is empowerment where individuals have greater control and confidence in their ability to manage their own health. Health education that is accessible to all literacy levels, is culturally reflective and developed with consideration of the social determinants of health has great potential to reduce the prevalence of preventable chronic illnesses in twain the Indigenous community and the wider Australian population.Efforts to improv e health literacy and encourage a healthy population must be holistic in character and motivated by empowerment and equality across all areas of society. impressive promotion of health literacy among the individuals and communities which the health profession serves will need to reflect on the social determinants of health and how they are interconnected with health literacy and health status.ReferencesAustralians for Native Title and Reconciliation 2007, Success Stories in Indigenous Health, pp.28-29, folk 2007, viewed 1/4/15. https//antar.org.au/sites/default/files/successstories.pdfAustralian Government Department of Health 2011, Discussion of the four key health issues, National Womens Health Policy, viewed 1/4/15. http//www.health.gov.au/internet/ commonplaceations/publishing.nsf/Content/womens-health-policy-tocwomens-health-policy-keywomens-health-policy-key-literacyAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012, Australias Health 2012, Australias health no. 13., Canberra, 2012, viewed 1/4/15. http//www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=10737422172 Department of Health and Families 2009, Revision of the Preventable Chronic disease strategy, terra firma Paper Preventable Chronic diseases in Aboriginal Populations, Northern Territory, April 2009, viewed 1/4/15.http//health.nt.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/47/68.pdfEgbert, N., Nanna, K. 2009, Health Literacy Challenges and Strategies, The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, vol. 14, no.3.Family Planning Association of Western Australia2004, The Mooditj manual a sexual health and life skills program for Aboriginal youth, FPWA, Northbridge, W.A.Nutbeam, D. 2006, Health literacy as a public health goal a challenge for contemporary health education and communication strategies into the 21st century, Health Promotion International, vol. 15, no.3, pp.259-267.Sexual and reproductive Health, WA 2015, Mooditj Leader Training, viewed 1/4/15.http//www.srhwa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/0 6/Mooditj-Leader-Training-2015.pdfStrobel, NA., Ward, J. 2012, Education programs for Indigenous Australians close to sexually transmitted infections and bloodborne viruses, Resource sheet no. 12 for the occlusion the Gap Clearinghouse, Canberra Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Melbourne Australian Institute of Family Studies.World Health composition 1978, Declaration of Alma Ata, International group discussion on Primary Health Care,Alma-Ata, USSR,12th of September 1978.World Health Organisation 2003, The Solid Facts, Social Determinants of Health, viewed 1/4/15. http//www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/98438/e81384.pdfWorld Health Organisation 2009, Track 2 Health literacy and health behaviour, viewed 1/4/15.http//www.who.int/healthpromotion/conferences/7gchp/track2/en/