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Abstract

Background: Health literacy (HL) is among the evidence-based strategies to promote health equity and communities/individuals’ engagement to attain higher health outcomes.

Method: Invited commentary.

Results: HL is the ability to use information and services for health-related actions. Up to 88% of US and 50% of eight European countries’ individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, have low HL resulting in poor health outcomes and billions of dollars in avoidable healthcare expenses. There are varying levels of focus and funding to engage individuals to become active subjects rather than objects of healthcare. Heads of academic institutions and of health organizations must create the conditions for HL. Academia must recognize the importance of barriers to HL and remove them as an integral part of teaching the health workforce to improve individuals’ HL and comprehension. Such recognition has been slow and investment of time and other resources insufficient. Heads of different levels of health organizations must ensure that HL is an integral part of services delivery safety and quality. HL starts with plain language. Implementing the necessary changes to communication strategies demands much political and economic investment as well as public awareness because HL is also a collective responsibility. Guidelines, communication aids and techniques exist to assist HL teaching and service delivery.

Conclusion: Neglecting HL in health care teaching and service provision results in poor health outcomes, inequities and high economical costs. Leaders in higher education, health systems’ policymakers, and providers must overcome such a neglect with the use of available guidelines and techniques.

Keywords: Health literacy, Equity, Health systems, Higher-education, Leadership

References

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[13]. Many are taking the initiative to transform this situation for healthcare providers. For example, see Turner T. Health Literacy and Medical Education. In: Connelly R, Turner T, editors. Health Literacy and Child Health Outcomes. Springer, Cham: Springer Briefs in Public Health; 2017. p. 57-72.

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