Health Literacy, Explained Without the Jargon

Lower health literacy is associated with worse outcomes, and most health information is written well above the reading level of the population it is for.

Key takeaways

• The three questions: What are my options? What are the benefits and risks? How do I decide?
• Shared decision making: recommended by NICE
• Most useful single change: Ask the three questions at any appointment involving a choice.
• Commonest mistake: Saying you understand when you do not.
• See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.

The short answer

The ability to find, understand and act on health information.

Where it fits

This is part of Preventive Care. Guidance sets out what to look for and what to do about it, which is what the rest of this page covers.

The numbers, in one place

What that means in practice

What that looks like in practice:

• Ask the three questions at any appointment involving a choice
• Repeat back what you understood to check it is right
• Ask for information in writing or in another format
• Bring someone with you if that helps you take things in

What gets people into trouble

And the things that tend to go wrong:

• Saying you understand when you do not
• Relying on search results without checking the source
• Leaving without knowing what happens next

Where to go next

• Health Literacy at a Glance
• The Evidence on Health Literacy, Without the Hype
• Health Literacy — the reference entry
• The Evidence on Occupational Health, Without the Hype
• NHS Health Check: What the Evidence Actually Says

When to speak to a doctor

Always confirm before leaving an appointment: what happens next, when results will come and how, what symptoms should bring you back sooner, and who to contact if things worsen. If symptoms worsen while waiting, contact the service again rather than waiting.

Where this comes from

• NICE — Shared decision making
• NHS — Getting the most out of your GP appointment

How this page was put together

Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.

Medical disclaimer

This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.