Health literacy promoted internationally in October

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — October has been recognized as Health Literacy Month for 20 years, and countries across the globe are spreading awareness about the importance of health literacy.

More than 40% of Americans say they have difficulty obtaining and understanding basic health care information, which is necessary for making informed medical decisions.

Health literacy includes skills like calculating correct dosages of medications, following fasting directions before surgery and checking nutrition labels for allergen information.

A study conducted by the Department of Education found that those who self-report worse health also have worse health literacy.

Some outcomes of low health literacy, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, are reduced knowledge of healthful behaviors, preventative care and understanding of a person’s own medical conditions.

According to the Center for Health Care Strategies, the effects of low health literacy, like loss of wages and increased illness and disability, cost the U.S. economy up to $236 billion each year.