Health Literacy

Health literacy levels in England are very low.
  • 43% of adults aged 16-65 cannot understand word-based health information sufficiently well to make health decisions
  • Where numbers are added in, 61% of adults are unable to understand and act on the information
Watch this short video from Ruth Carlyle, Head of NHS Knowledge and Library Services to tell you more about this.
You can use this Geodatatool to find an estimate of the percentage of a local authority population with low health literacy and numeracy or with just low health literacy.

Why does it Matter?

People need trustworthy information to make decisions about health, but Patient Information Forum figures (published in 2020) show that
  • 1 million cannot follow a letter from a GP surgery or hospital department
  • 5 million adults cannot find relevant data in standard health information
  • 1.7 million are unable to explain symptoms and feelings over the phone
  • 6.5 million cannot measure or record height and weight on a chart
  • 9 million people are unable to use digital tools unaided
Health literacy means more than just the ability to read and understand health-related information. It also includes the confidence to navigate healthcare services and make well-informed decisions about self-management.  Health literacy is a life skill for everyone.

How we can make a difference

People working in health and social care need to be aware of health literacy and of the techniques that can help to increase understanding.
Using techniques for better conversations makes a huge difference to decision making and patient experience.
​
Find out about the Role of NHS Library & Knowledge Services in Health Literacy.

Want to know more?

ome along to our Health Literacy Sessions
10-11am Monday
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 341 594 752 945
Passcode: 3bgj9R
Download Teams | Join on the web
 
2-3pm Monday
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 356 057 604 65
Passcode: DFaWWy
Download Teams | Join on the web
 
10-11am Thursday
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 376 119 749 014
Passcode: o8BSXX
Download Teams | Join on the web
 
2-3pm Thursday
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 369 720 744 815
Passcode: pw9RdA
Download Teams | Join on the web
Visit our colleagues in Health Information in the hospital foyer. 
They offer patients, carers and the public leaflets, books, internet searches and help on finding quality websites. ​

Other Useful Links

The Health Literacy Place (NHS Education for Scotland) http://www.healthliteracyplace.org.uk/
PIF (Patient Information Forum) https://pifonline.org.uk/
National Numeracy for Health https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/
Health Literacy UK https://www.healthliteracy.org.uk/
LeedsLibraries for Health – information for patients and the public -https://www.leedslibraries.nhs.uk/resources/health-information-for-patients-the-public
The Role of NHS Library & Knowledge Services in Health Literacy - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hir.12371