Health literacy as a superpower

Health literacy is all about having the knowledge, motivation, and competencies to manage our own health and well-being, as well as that of our families, communities, and societies. It's important to remember that health literacy can't be taken for granted. It isn't something we're born with - it's something we acquire over time.

Health literacy is like a superpower that we develop throughout our lives, much like the hero's journey in a fairytale.

Like in a fairytale where heroes are faced with challenges, encountering illness and chronic diseases are struggles to overcome whether they are due to minor ailments or serious health threats. During these kind of struggles, we may perceive ourselves in different roles - sometimes as victims, sometimes as villains, and sometimes as heroes. When we feel like victims, it can be easy to feel hopeless and disempowered, and we may not be inclined to take much action. In the role of villains, we may feel angry and tend to sabotage ourselves, rather than taking care of ourselves and seeking support. However, as heroes, we feel empowered, enabled, and ready to take action. Similarly, by relying on health literacy as our superpower, we gain agency through the acquisition of adequate, relevant, and timely knowledge and skills to overcome any adversity that comes our way.

Health literacy as a superpower is reflected in research which reveals how health literacy may make a significant difference in several ways:

• Studies have shown that individuals with higher health literacy levels are more likely to engage in preventive health behaviors, adhere to medical treatments, and achieve better health outcomes (Berkman et al. 2011).
• Higher health literacy is associated with decreased hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and unnecessary medical procedures leading to more efficient use of healthcare resources and reduced healthcare expenditures (United Health Group, 2021).
• Patients with higher health literacy levels are better able to understand medical information, ask questions, express concerns, and actively participate in shared decision-making processes with their healthcare providers leading to improved patient satisfaction, increased adherence to treatment plans, and better health outcomes (Miller, 2016).
• Health literacy can help reduce disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among different demographic groups, including those from marginalized communities or with low socioeconomic status, who often face barriers to accessing healthcare services and understanding health information (S?rensen et al. 2015).

Essentially, health literacy as a superpower empowers individuals to make informed and shared decisions about health, navigate complex healthcare systems, and effectively communicate with healthcare providers. Likewise, health professionals with strong health literacy skills can effectively communicate with people and patients, educate them about their health conditions, and empower them to make informed and shared decisions while providing people-centered care and support.

Health literacy as a superpower can help enhance health and well-being for all. If you are interested in other sorts of superpowers to make the world a better place, this list of cool superpowers is worth exploring!

May the force be with you!

Warm regards,

Kristine S?rensen ??

Global Health Literacy Academy