Health literacy: How do you understand healthcare information

Health literacy: How do you understand healthcare information -

Have you ever gone to the doctor, but do not understand what he or she was saying? Well, do not worry because you are not alone. In fact, poor health literacy could cost Americans up to $ 238 billion each year.

Health literacy is so important that government experts and health only believe that improving health literacy will make health care reform work to expand coverage and control costs. In 2014, about 32 million Americans who were uninsured will have health insurance coverage. The Department of Health and Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Services said: "Health literacy is needed to reform health care a reality"

So what is health literacy and why. is it so important?

health literacy is the ability to understand and use health information including taking prescription drugs, results of tests, tests for cancer and other reports Kaiser Health News .

in 06, the Ministry of Education of the United States conducted a study that showed that 36 percent of adults have an understanding basic or below basic health equipment. the problem with the results show that up to 0 million Americans may understand health information in a fifth grade level or less.

health insurance companies, doctors and hospitals work to provide materials to consumers that are easy to understand and include graphics. They are also trying to promote physicians to use different language when talking with patients or ask patients to relay information to them at the end of the visit. This shows the doctor how the patient understands.

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