D406 - Main

Health literacy

The ability to access, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions

Personal health literacy

An individual’s ability to find, understand, and use health information and services

Organizational health literacy

How well healthcare systems make information and services easy to access and understand

Digital health literacy

The ability to find and use health information from electronic sources

Health numeracy

The ability to understand and use numbers in health decisions (dosage, risk, costs)

Health equity

Everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to achieve their best health

Health disparities

Preventable differences in health outcomes among groups

Social determinants of health

Non-medical factors that influence health (housing, income, education, access)

Plain language

Using simple, clear words instead of medical jargon

Teach-back method

Asking the client to repeat information in their own words to confirm understanding

Cultural competence

Ability to understand and apply knowledge of different cultures in care

Cultural humility

Ongoing self-reflection to understand personal biases and respect others’ identities

CLAS standards

Guidelines to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare services

Mismatched communication

When information is too complex or not understandable for the client

Evidence-based information

Health information backed by scientific research and reliable sources

Empowerment

Supporting clients to make their own choices and take control of their care

Non-labeling

Avoiding assumptions or stereotypes about a client

Equal opportunity

Ensuring all clients have access to the same care and services

Entitlement

The belief that someone deserves special treatment or services

Self-advocacy

The ability to speak up and make decisions about one’s own health

Client autonomy

The right of clients to make their own healthcare decisions

Client rights

The legal and ethical rights individuals have in healthcare settings

Advocacy

Supporting individuals or groups to ensure their needs and rights are met

Decision-making principle: autonomy

Clients have the right to make their own decisions

Decision-making principle: partnership

Clients work with providers as partners in care

Decision-making principle: informed decisions

Clients must have understandable information to make choices

Decision-making principle: respect

Client values, needs, and preferences must be honored

Functional health literacy

Basic reading and writing skills for health information

Interactive health literacy

Advanced skills to communicate and engage with providers

Critical health literacy

Ability to analyze information and make informed decisions

Personal level intervention

Supporting an individual’s understanding and skills

Organizational level intervention

Changing systems, policies, or environments

Situational level intervention

Addressing a specific immediate issue or barrier

Critical level intervention

Addressing larger systemic or societal issues

Active listening

Fully focusing, understanding, and responding to a client

Passive listening

Hearing without fully engaging or responding

Open-ended questions

Questions that require more than yes/no answers

Closed-ended questions

Questions that can be answered with yes/no

Health literacy barrier

Anything that makes it difficult to understand or use health information

Low health literacy risk signs

Missed appointments, confusion, incomplete forms, medication errors

Universal precautions (health literacy)

Assuming all clients may have difficulty understanding information

Preventive care

Care that prevents illness (vaccines, screenings)

Health outcomes

The results of healthcare on a person’s health

Access to care

The ability to obtain needed health services

Navigation of healthcare system

The ability to find and use healthcare services effectively