Get A Qualitative Study Examining Latino Functional Health Literacy Levels And Sources Of Health

Nutbeam's (2000) three levels of health literacy: functional, interactive and critical are discussed.

Overall 38% of Hispanics surveyed were health literate. Health literacy was highest in those who spoke mostly English (58%) and lower in those who were bilingual (51%) or spoke mostly Spanish (14%).

Functional health literacy is defined as an individual's capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services sufficiently to make appropriate health decisions and will be used interchangeably with the term “health literacy” in this review (Institute of Medicine, 2004).

Level 3: Adults are required to read and navigate dense, lengthy or complex texts. Level 4: Adults can integrate, interpret or synthesise information from complex or lengthy texts.

Examples of personal health literacy include understanding prescription drug instructions, understanding doctor's directions and consent forms, and the ability to navigate the complex healthcare system.

The four literacy levels are (1) below basic, (2) basic, (3) intermediate, and (4) proficient.

Speak more slowly when providing instructions. Be respectful and clear without being patronizing. Use graphics and pictures instead of long written instructions. Provide information at an appropriate grade level.

Health literacy can help us prevent health problems, protect our health, and better manage health problems when they arise. They aren't familiar with medical terms or how their bodies work. They have to interpret statistics and evaluate risks and benefits that affect their health and safety.