Health literacy is the ability to find, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions. In an age of information overload, this skill is more important than ever.

Health literacy goes beyond reading medical documents. It includes:

• Finding information — Knowing where to look for reliable sources
• Understanding — Comprehending medical terms and instructions
• Evaluating — Assessing the quality and relevance of information
• Using — Applying information to make health decisions

Trustworthy health information often comes from:

• Government health agencies (WHO, ICMR, Ministry of Health)
• Medical institutions and hospitals
• Peer-reviewed research journals
• Licensed healthcare professionals

Prepare by asking:

• What is my diagnosis?
• What are my treatment options?
• What are the benefits and risks?
• Are there lifestyle changes I should make?
• When should I follow up?

Key information to identify:

1. Drug name — Generic and brand names
2. Dosage — How much to take
3. Frequency — How often to take it
4. Duration — How long to continue
5. Side effects — What to watch for

Be cautious of sources that:

• Sell products while providing “health advice”
• Make claims that sound too good to be true
• Lack author credentials or sources
• Are outdated or not recently updated

To improve your health literacy:

1. Ask questions — Never hesitate to ask healthcare providers to explain
2. Take notes — Write down important information during appointments
3. Bring a companion — Have someone with you to help remember
4. Use teach-back — Repeat information back to confirm understanding

📚 Explore More: Visit our Education section for more learning resources.

Empowered with knowledge, you can make better health decisions for yourself and your family.