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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

(813) 307-8000 All Locations

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Health Literacy

Florida Department of Health - Hillsborough County

(813) 307-8000
Info.HillsWeb@FLHealth.gov
Fax
(813) 273-3721
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 5135
Tampa, FL 33675-5135

What is Health Literacy?

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 department of health staff through the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. Contact your local library or contact us to request a class.