The growing importance of health literacy

AS A cardiologist, I am seeing every day, more patients coming to me in the final stage of heart disease with their hearts weakened and enlarged (heart failure). Most of them have very high blood pressure, high sugar levels, are overweight with high cholesterol and may have had a previous heart attack which had been left uncared for. Such patients say to me, “Doc Felix, mi never know ...”.

The healthcare challenges of today demand more from individuals than ever before. Chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity require continuous management, making health literacy vital for adherence to treatment regimens and healthier lifestyle changes.

A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE MEANING OF HEALTH LITERACY

‘Health literacy (HL) is a fundamental skill that enables people to make informed evidence-based decisions about their health and well-being’ – World Health Organization (WHO). Studies have confirmed clear relationships between education and HL. The WHO has pointed out clear correlations between low HL and:

a) Increased hospital admissions

b) Poor medication adherence

c) Poor prevention activities

d) Increased prevalence of health risk factors

e) Limited self-management of chronic diseases and poorer health outcomes

f) Increased healthcare costs, and

g) Poorer general health status, including increased mortality.

Health information comes from many different sources and is delivered through multiple channels. Unfortunately, many of these sources present potentially conflicting, biased or incomplete information. In an age where information flows freely and technology advances at a staggering pace, the future is increasingly shaped by the accessibility and comprehension of health-related knowledge and access to timely and relevant health services. Health literacy – the ability to access, understand, appraise and apply information to make informed decisions and manage health and well-being – emerges as a critical cornerstone for a healthier Jamaica society.

THE ENEMY: THE HEALTH MISINFORMATION

Unfortunately, misinformation and local sociocultural beliefs (“bush medicine”) and the proliferation of pseudoscience in the digital age threaten public health. However, health-literate societies can discern credible sources, counter misinformation, and foster trust in evidence-based healthcare systems. I agree with what Mr Wayne Cambell wrote in The Gleaner, titled: ‘Health literacy key for all Jamaicans’ – “It is quite unfortunate that when we speak about literacy and all its variations, we tend to overlook health literacy. Health literacy is an issue that requires our attention, as it is the bloodline through which the solutions towards ‘sustainable development will be achieved’.”

I also share the view of Dr Stephanie Mullings, who made mention in the Jamaica Observer in the article titled, ‘The twin epidemics: Low health literacy and poor self-care agency threaten public health’: “The growing inability of people to understand health information and effectively manage their care is a crisis that demands urgent attention and action. Low health literacy, poor self-care agency, and lifestyle-related diseases converge to create a public health crisis of unprecedented scale, affecting thousands of Jamaicans and putting immense strain on our healthcare systems,” highlighted Dr Mullings

TIME TO TAKE MORE ACTION

Improving HL should be prioritised by the Government, healthcare providers, health educators, universities, and individuals (patients). This can be achieved through public health campaigns, more formal planned educational programmes, professionals, and community-based initiatives that empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make healthier choices.

As a medical doctor and an educator, I believe addressing low HL should be a priority in improving public health. The more you know, the more you engage, the more you can benefit from the experience of health and well-being and select what matters to you. By empowering our patients and the general citizens with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take control of their health, we could reduce the burden of heart disease and heart failure in Jamaica with prevention measurements, earlier specialised diagnosis and treatment, counter health misinformation, medication errors, heart complications and creating a healthier Jamaican society.

Health literacy matters. It should be recognised as a fundamental human rights issue.

Dr Felix Nunura is a Peruvian cardiologist, providing healing to Jamaicans’ hearts since 2012. Email: felixnunura@gmail.com