Question

What does "health literacy" mean? How is this term defined by the Ad Hoc Committee on Health Literacy for the Council on Scientific Affairs of the AMA? Do you agree that an individual's health literacy is likely to be worse than their general literacy? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Health literacy means an individual's ability to upload, process and appreciate the basic health information and services they receive within their society to preserve their good health.

In 1999, the American Medical Association's Ad Hoc Committee on Health Literacy described it as a 'cluster of skills, including the ability to carry out basic reading and numerical tasks needed to work in the healthcare environment,' and also includes day-to-day health functions such as 'possibility of reading and apprehending prescription bottles, appointment slips and other essential health related materials" .

Yeah, I believe that the health literacy of the person is likely to be higher than their general literacy because people are more focused on their health information from the medical staff, and they are more sure of their health conditions. Generally speaking, they encourage the medical practitioner to consider their situation and determine for themselves.

This is commoner in developing countries such as India and Nepal. Here people trust their doctors fully for their health condition and do whatever they tell them to think that with their medication prescription they also trust their pharmacist fully and take whatever they have given without checking their names or dates. Here the people sincerely trust in their caregivers. This is mainly because of the more analphabetes.