Health Literacy Is for the Healthy

“Health Literacy” is the ability to read, understand and act

upon health information. And, more than half of the American

population is not proficient on this topic.

 Unfortunately, the above

definition is the point after which most head into the wrong

direction. Unless a significant misnomer, by definition, the focus of

health literacy should be two-fold, enhancement of functional

literacy (period) and increased attention to the issues of health.

The general public reads very little non-commercial, health-related

materials, the content being very challenging. Additionally, people

consume too much sugar, consume alcohol and excesses of red

meats, processed grains, artificial chemical additives, too few and

unvaried fruits and vegetables, and eat too much. Many also

smoke, use recreational drugs, misuse prescription drugs, exercise

too little and engage in other social and recreational activities

that are harmful to them physically and psychologically. Much of

that which I just described and many more contributors to poor

personal and public health are legally accessible and even

marketed to you. The question is, who is responsible for your

health knowledge and healthy behaviors (health care) versus your

medical status (medical care)?

Your mechanic recommends selecting quality fuels, lubricants, and

other fluids, and changing them regularly. You should manage your

tires’ pressure and watch tread wear. You check your brakes’

function and monitor all for all other signs of possible

malfunction. And, although there are plenty of after-market and

alternative products and services by which to care for your

vehicles, no clear-thinking person deviates demonstrably from use/

maintenance recommendations if expecting vehicles to perform well

and last. Such is because motor vehicles are sold with

maintenance recommendations and schedules that you read,

developing your “automotive care literacy”.

The western medical professional community markedly fails to

train its cadre well in subjects of prevention, health maintenance,

and safe. high performance, physical fitness for the masses. This

also includes failure to train them to care substantially about the

health literacy of their clientele. 

Nationally, we spend a lot of

money on a Center for Disease Control, Planned Parenthood

[primarily STD/STI and services for sex-related diseases], and

local public health agencies (focus upon epidemiology, primary

medical care, local epidemics management). And, we wrangle

politically over the role of government versus the private sector

for the provision of all services, particularly those that are

values-based. 

However, public health literacy (education) is a non-

revenue generating activity and receives minimal attention.

While in the public many clamor for inalienable rights to

comprehensive medical care, the general public doesn’t march for

the rights to universal health literacy. Nor does it ask the

government to require the market to be more responsible for

promoting products, services and social behaviors consistent with

universal health. Yet, we must not allow the government, nor the

socially and financially empowered to suggest that speaking against

“unhealthy” environments, foods, untoward products and

behaviors (and effects of) is inappropriate, and thereby “politically

incorrect” behavior, unless you want current vocal ideologies to

drive health care and not literacy.

We can help you with “Health Literacy.” 

As previously stated,

it refers to the ability to read, understand and act [ideally]

upon health information. Proficiency includes efficient and effective

use of medical systems, as well as knowledge-driven, diverse,

healthy behaviors, preemptively minimizing the need for medical

care.

We are very experienced and knowledgeable regarding issues of

health and medical care http://www.myhealthprograms.org