1 in 6 people in the UK have very low literacy levels and only half have numeracy skills beyond primary level. So if you communicate anything to do with health, you need to be thinking about health literacy.
It really matters, because if you can’t understand medical advice or navigate our mind-boggling healthcare system, you will have poorer health outcomes– simple as that.
As health communicators, that means being clear who our audiences are and how they understand, process and use health information effectively.
Health literacy puts people in the driving seat. From making informed treatment choices to understanding how to reduce risk, health literacy helps people take charge of their own well-being.
If you need a quick reminder of why this matters, or if you need to persuade colleagues, the Patient Information Forum’s updated poster for Health Literacy Month 2023 shares some key stats, updated for the latest data.
