Health Literacy and Naturopathic Care: Making Informed Wellness Decisions
Y ou’ve probably heard the phrase “health literacy,” but what does it mean? How can health literacy empower you to take control of your wellness journey?
According to Healthy People 2030, which outlines the U.S. government’s current objectives for the health of our nation, health literacy means “the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.” Let’s break that down to help you better understand health literacy and naturopathic care.
Finding Information
In health literacy, the ability to find information refers to sourcing accurate, reliable, and comprehensive information on health. There is so much wellness content on the internet, and it can be overwhelming to sort through it. Furthermore, much of it is inaccurate and lacks sources. You can’t always believe what you read, especially online. So how do you find the right educational information? Here are a few tips to get started:
- Start by looking at the website domain type. Web addresses ending in .edu and .gov are most likely to present evidence-based information. Next are .org websites, which are typically owned by nonprofits. Websites ending in .com vary widely.
- Find out who’s publishing the content on the website. Are they an expert in their field? Do they have background in the subject, degrees, or certifications?
- Does the publisher of the website have an agenda? For example, are there financial incentives that could bias the information they’re presenting?
- Remember, books are also an option for learning! Talk to your local librarian for recommendations on the subject you’re researching. Again, check the expertise of the writer before taking what they say at face value.
Understanding Information
Some health topics are very complex. Academic studies are often densely worded, and learning how diseases and treatment work can require a lot of background reading. So how do you make sense of the information once you have accessed it?
- If you find a study on the subject you’re researching, look for coverage of it on university websites or healthcare news sources. These may contain easier-to-understand summaries of the findings.
- Ask your healthcare provider for clarification. Medical professionals know how to read and interpret studies, and can help you understand what your source is saying in plain language.
- If you don’t understand something, remember that you can always look it up! For example, say you’re reading about cancer prevention, and you aren’t sure what a medical term is. Do some additional research on that subject to improve your understanding.
- If you’re researching a recent diagnosis, you may feel emotional, which can affect your ability to interpret information. If you start feeling overwhelmed, take a break and do something calming.
Using Information
Now that you’ve found information and educated yourself, it’s time to use that learning to improve your health. There are many situations where health literacy can help, such as:
- Trying to figure out insurance coverage
- Evaluating the risks and benefits of a particular treatment
- Filling out paperwork for services like disability payments
- Knowing which questions to ask your healthcare provider
- Making medical decisions for dependents
- Taking medications correctly
- Choosing a healthcare provider
- Understanding your medical records
Healthcare literacy is important not only for treatment of disease but for everyday health practices and preventive medicine.
Healthcare Literacy with ProNatural Wellness
The expert providers at ProNatural Wellness are here to help you find, understand, and use healthcare information. Not only can we provide you with credible educational sources, we can answer any questions you have about health literacy and naturopathic care. Give us a call at (860) 829-0707 or stop into our office at 1263 Berlin Turnpike, Unit B, Berlin, CT to make an appointment today.
