1. What is health literacy?
Health literacy means you can find, understand, and use health information and services needed to make the best
possible health decisions.
Why is health literacy important?
Having good health literacy skills helps you be as healthy as possible and avoid unnecessary medical costs.
Who is affected by health literacy?
People of all ages, races, incomes, and education levels can have limited
health literacy. We all have times when we find health information difficult
to understand and use. Many adults may need help reading and doing the
math, such as figuring out how to take medicines correctly.
What can you do?
Build your health literacy skills and help others build their skills too. Here
are some tips to remember the next time you or a loved one go the doctor:
Write down questions and bring them with you
Bring all the medications you are taking to each appointment
Take notes on what happens during your visit
What are the health costs of poor health literacy?
• Inadequate use of preventive services
• Poor medication adherence; self-care errors
• Excess hospitalizations and rehospitalizations
• Documented higher mortality rates
Fact: Georgia ranks 40 out of 50 states in overall health status.
Strong health literacy skills can improve the health of Georgia’s residents.
Right Path Compliance
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Did you know?
About 9 out of 10
Americans find it hard
to understand and act
on everyday health
information.
This means that the
majority of Americans
cannot understand the
information that can
keep them healthy.
Understand your health. We are here to help.
For more information on the Alliance, visit www.gahealthliteracy.org or email GAHealthLiteracy@gmail.com.