Making Sense of Health Literacy

October is Health Literacy Month: an opportunity for each and every one of us to take charge of our health by improving our capacity to understand it.

Health literacy refers to our ability to make sense of basic health information in order to make informed decisions regarding our wellbeing. In practice, this might look like accurately following recommended treatment plans, wholly comprehending the advice of your primary care provider (PCP), or knowing the best place to go for help when complications arise.

Being health literate is an essential part of taking care of yourself and your future wellbeing. Research shows that individuals with a higher degree of health literacy are typically more likely to engage in preventive care, such as vaccinations and recommended screenings, which can help identify or diagnose possible issues earlier, when they can be addressed. Conversely, lower levels of health literacy have been linked with an increased risk of hospitalization and poorer health management overall due to factors such as misunderstandings with medications or missed appointments.

This October, how can we begin to improve our own personal health literacy?

Plan ahead for each visit with your PCP. The conversation itself will usually be fairly brief, so walking in with a clear idea of what you what to talk and ask about will help you make the most of your time in the exam room. Keep a running list of applicable questions, and take notes throughout your appointment to follow up on anything relevant after the fact, if necessary.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Remember: Your PCP’s job is to give you the information you need in the most accessible way possible. There’s absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about if you ever need to ask for clarification. A good rule of thumb is to repeat back what the PCP has told you, in your own words, to confirm you’ve understood them correctly.

Be cautious about the health information you consume. With the internet at our fingertips, there’s truly no shortage of places we can go for our health information, including websites, social media, and the movies and television we consume. Be wary when deciding which information you will trust, and remember that not all sources are accurate or paint a complete picture.

Ask if there are additional materials your PCP could provide to help you better understand. Hearing your PCP’s explanation verbally may not be ideal for all of us. Perhaps you’re a visual learner, or would benefit from being able to read the information instead. Many offices have additional materials prepared to help explain particularly complex information, or your PCP may be able to point you in the direction of something similar.

You can bring a support system. If you’re worried about forgetting valuable information, or are simply nervous about going on your own, you could always bring a loved one along with you. They could take notes for you while you simply listen to what your PCP has to say.

Sources:

“Health Literacy,” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, asha.org, Accessed September 8, 2025.

“Health Literacy Month: What It Is and Why It Matters,” Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, yourlifeiowa.org, October 8, 2024.

“An Introduction to Health Literacy,” National Library of Medicine, nnlm.gov, Accessed September 8, 2025.

“Improving Your Health Literacy,” Jamie DePolo, breastcancer.org, August 16, 2024.

“Understanding Health Literacy,” CDC, cdc.gov, October 16, 2024.