Module 3

Question 1

What is health literacy?

Answer 1

Health literacy is an essential life skill, “the ability to access, comprehend, evaluate, and communicate information as a way to promote, maintain, and improve health in a variety of settings across the life course.”

Question 2

Why is health literacy important?

Answer 2

Large number of people affected, increasing demands in society to access health information in new ways, increasing rates of chronic disease, low health literacy= poor health outcomes.
- Health literacy is critical for a person to manage their health. It refers not only to the abilities of individuals but also to health-related systems and providers of information within those systems.

Question 3

Literacy vs. Health?

Answer 3

Literacy= basic skills needed to succeed,
Health literacy= additional skills, like finding and integrating health information and also a knowledge of health vocab and culture of the health system.
Health and literacy are critical for everyday living
Persons level of literacy directly affects ability to obtain and comprehend information to health.

Question 4

Barriers to health literacy?

Answer 4

Systemic Barrier: Lack of availability of programs in French or English as second language, Inadequate training and education to employees, Confusing or conflicting health information, Complexity of health care system, Lack of school programs and appropriate teaching, Lack of funding (treatment based funding), Lack of awareness and knowledge
Individual Barriers: Aging, Decreased education or lack of health skill and knowledge, Mother tongue other than English or French, Disabilities, Cultural Beliefs, Social Stigmas

Question 5

Explain low health literacy and who is at most risk in Canada?

Answer 5

Populations most at risk:
•older adults
•aboriginals
•recent immigrants
•those with lower levels of education
•those with low English/French proficiency
•those that depend on social assistance
60% of canadians and 88% of seniors are considered health illiterate

Question 6

Interventions to improve health literacy and key factors that improve health literacy?

Answer 6

• Government support for programs
• Policies and programs to reduce health inequities
• Culturally relevant and respectful approach to delivery of new programs and services
• Clear information about health services available in multiple languages
• Incentives for service providers to educate
• Emphasis on lifelong learning
• Workplace initiatives
• Increasing support for people with disabilities

Question 7

What is disease prevention?

Answer 7

Interventions to reduce risks of disease and threats

Question 8

Describe primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention?

Answer 8

Primary- aims to prevent disease or injury before it ever occurs. Examples: immunization, education about healthy and safe habits, ban of hazardous products
Secondary- aims to reduce the impact of a disease or injury that has already occurred. Done by detecting and treating a disease or injury. Examples: regular exams, exercise, modified work
Tertiary- aims to soften the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects. Helpings people manage the long-term problems. Examples: support groups, rehabilitation, cardiac disease programs

Question 9

Strategies to improving health literacy

Answer 9

improving and building better relationships, increasing understanding of health information, enhancing partnership (INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH)