Health literacy is the knowledge and skills people use to manage their health. People use health literacy skills in many everyday life situations, such as:
- Reading food labels
- Choosing healthy foods
- Pouring the right amount of liquid medicine
- Understanding risks in emergency situations
Health literacy skills can vary based on many things such as:
- Stress levels
- Personal Experiences
- Limited English proficiency
- Communication skills of doctors and other medical staff
- Changing environments
- Complex paperwork or situations
- New challenges
- Financial resources
- Age
Community health literacy classes are also available. These hour-long classes help people with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful medical appointment and are provided by the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough (DOH-Hillsborough) staff through the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. Contact your local library or DOH-Hillsborough to request a class.