Development of a Core Online Health Literacy Course in Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Vamos ◽  
Paul Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Degree Programs ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Literacy Course ◽  
Systematic Development ◽  
Improve Health

Health literacy has implications for people’s ability to make healthy decisions and manage their own health. To improve health literacy, we need to improve the knowledge and skills of those who receive and those who provide health information and services, while paying attention to demands of the environment that shape people’s skills and abilities. Higher education can play a critical role in nurturing a health literate population. This article articulates the need to integrate health literacy courses into health-related degree programs through the integration of Bandura’s work and Core Competencies for Public Health put forward by Canada. Offering such courses in varying formats will help prepare learners to better understand the growing demand for a health literate workforce and will contribute to the ongoing public health initiatives in improving health-related settings by removing health-related barriers. This article outlines the need for a systematic development of health literacy courses based on the integration of instructional and health literacy principles. An example of a core online undergraduate health literacy course in Canada is presented. Insights are offered into how educators can develop and modify their own health literacy courses, which aim to help learners explore ideologies, practices, tools, and policies guiding health literacy efforts for diverse people across settings.

scholarly journals Understanding disadvantaged adolescents’ perception of health literacy through a systematic development of peer vignettes

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah R. Goss ◽  
Clare McDermott ◽  
Laura Hickey ◽  
Johann Issartel ◽  
Sarah Meegan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Young People ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Unhealthy Behaviour ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Literacy Profiles ◽  
Improve Health

Abstract Background Adolescence represents a crucial phase of life where health behaviours, attitudes and social determinants can have lasting impacts on health quality across the life course. Unhealthy behaviour in young people is generally more common in low socioeconomic groups. Nevertheless, all adolescents should have a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential. Health literacy is positioned as a potential mediating factor to improve health, but research regarding health literacy in adolescents and socially disadvantaged populations is limited. As part of Phase one of the Ophelia (OPtimising HEalth LIterAcy) framework, The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of socially disadvantaged Irish adolescents in relation to health literacy and related behaviours, and utilise this data to develop relevant vignettes. Methods A convergent mixed method design was used to co-create the vignettes. Questionnaires were completed by 962 adolescents (males n = 553, females n = 409, Mean age = 13.97 ± 0.96 years) from five participating disadvantaged schools in Leinster, Ireland. Focus groups were also conducted in each school (n = 31). Results were synthesised using cluster and thematic analysis, to develop nine vignettes that represented typical male and female subgroups across the schools with varying health literacy profiles. These vignettes were then validated through triangular consensus with students, teachers, and researchers. Discussion The co-creation process was a participatory methodology which promoted the engagement and autonomy of the young people involved in the project. The vignettes themselves provide an authentic and tangible description of the health issues and health literacy profiles of adolescents in this context. Application of these vignettes in workshops involving students and teachers, will enable meaningful engagement in the discussion of health literacy and health-related behaviours in Irish young people, and the potential co-designing of strategies to address health literacy in youth. Conclusion As guided by the Ophelia framework, the use of authentic, interactive and participatory research methods, such as the co-creation of vignettes, is particularly important in groups that are underserved by traditional research methods. The approach used in this study could be adapted to other contexts to represent and understand stakeholders’ perceptions of health, with a view to explore, and ultimately improve, health literacy.

TXTING4HEALTH: The Role of the Mobile Channel in the Health Care Industry and in the Sphere of Public Health

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Holmen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Device ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Industry ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Care Industry ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Health Related

The vast mobile network created by high adoption rates and increasing familiarity with mobile device capabilities worldwide has potential for far more than the commercial operations to which it is currently relegated. This will be the next wave of mobile: the social and socially conscious dimension of an already broad medium. Mobile's potential is virtually limitless, and the advantages unique to it align well with the demands of the health care industry. The accuracy and speed provided by the medium are particularly valuable to health care professionals and their patients. The emerging social aspect of mobile is being tapped for myriad health-related uses, including smoking cessation and the treatment of eating disorders. Moreover, the ubiquity of the mobile device is advancing public health initiatives across the globe. This article endeavors to describe the state of the mobile medium and what effects it can have on both the health care industry and public health. It also discusses the particular effect the social aspect of mobile technology is having on certain health initiatives and cites specific examples of the synergy between mobile communication and health-related programs. This article concludes by looking toward the future of mobile health projects.

Health literacy among Danish university students enrolled in health-related study programmes

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 831-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Elsborg ◽  
Fie Krossdal ◽  
Lars Kayser
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Informatics ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Public Health Programme ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Educational Path

Aims: It is important to address people’s health literacy when providing health care. Health professionals should be aware of, and have insight into, people’s health literacy when they provide health services. Health professionals need to be health literate themselves. We examined the level of health literacy in students in Denmark attending one of four full university programmes related to health and investigated how their health literacy was associated with their sociodemographic background. Methods: The health literacy level of the students was measured using the multi-dimensional Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) supplemented with sociodemographic questions. The questionnaire was administrated through the students’ Facebook groups. The students were enrolled in courses on health informatics, medicine, molecular biomedicine or public health. Out of a total of 7663 students, 630 responded to the questionnaire. Results: No sex difference was found although female students scored higher than male students in domain 4 (social support for health). Students attending the public health programme tended to score higher and those attending molecular biomedicine tended to score lower in the HLQ. There was a positive correlation between HLQ scores and the educational level of the students’ parents. If one of their parents was employed in the health care sector, the HLQ score tended to be higher in domains 1 and 4. Students who had been hospitalized also tended to score higher in domains 1, 5 and 6. Conclusions: Students’ health literacy relates to their personal background and educational path. This may be of importance when planning curricula and educational activities, including cross-disciplinary courses.

Student and Faculty Perspectives on the Use of Movies in Public Health Pedagogy

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Wade ◽  
Tyler Barrientos ◽  
Marc Macarulay ◽  
Whitney Alderson ◽  
Portney C. Shibale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Cognitive Learning ◽  
Affective Learning ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Core ◽  
Health Related

Introduction. Movies can be used in public health pedagogy to illustrate concepts and build students’ connection to the material. This study describes the perspectives of undergraduates and faculty on effective strategies for using movies to achieve key public health learning outcomes. Method. In this cross-sectional study, a survey was administered to undergraduate majors in health studies ( n = 109) and faculty who teach health-related courses ( n = 27). The survey included measures of usage and attitudes toward pedagogical applications of movies, which were informed by Bloom’s Taxonomy and the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals. Results. Students and faculty expressed favorable attitudes toward the use of movies in undergraduate public health education. Additionally, both groups endorsed the usefulness of movies for affective and cognitive learning outcomes, with appraisals of affective learning being significantly higher. Movies were most frequently applied to building the core public health competencies of analyzing public health issues, communicating effectively, relationship building, and cultural competency. Among students, 74% stated that watching health-related movies reinforced their current career trajectory, encouraged them to consider other careers, or changed their choice of career. Discussion. Preparation of the future public health workforce requires students to develop both cognitive skills and an emotional connection to efforts that address health-related challenges. The findings of this study indicate that movies support both types of learning outcomes and therefore deserve further investigation as pedagogical tool in population health instruction.

Health Literacy regarding people with intellectual disability 'Our right to a healthier future'

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Skes ◽  
V Lukavečki ◽  
H Radašević ◽  
M Živec ◽  
M Polić-Vižintin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Health Related ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
The City

Abstract Background People with disabilities make 10,1% of the City of Zagreb society in 2019. Intellectual disability makes 4,8% of total disability population. One of the main goals of Zagreb Strategy of Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities from 2017 to 2020 is the accessibility to health care and services. Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health undertaken public health initiative “Our right to a healthier future” in the City Zagreb in 2019. Objectives The aim was to recognize the need for early risk factors prevention, to increase health literacy and to improve access to health-care for adults with intellectual disability in Social-humanitarian organization and Daily Center Ozana. Results In order to assess the health status and health-related lifestyle attributes a multidisciplinary approach was carried out including a total od 53 adults with intellectual disability in Center Ozana. Activities included preventive exams, conducted workshops with individual counseling about healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. Hypertension was found in 14,9% adults with intellectual disability using standard diagnostic criteria (i.e. BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg). High blood sugar was found in 15,7% adults. Body mask index (BMI) was calculated. The awerage was slightly higher in woman (28.8) then in man (27.6). Conclusions Healthcare service have predominantly focused on the primary disability. The multidisciplinary approach and collaboration could help to achieve better health for people with intellectual disability. Obesity is a significant health problem for people with intellectual disability. Causes are multifactorial and obesity leads to a higher risk of developing chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. It is important to understand where and how they need help and support in health terms and what resources and assets they already have or can access if needed. Key messages The health literacy concept for people with intellectual disabilities should not be dominated by specific perspectives, such as functional health literacy. Caregivers, family and supporters are a very important factor for health-related decision-making and health literacy for people with intellectual disabilities.

scholarly journals Mobile technology as a health literacy enabler in African rural areas: a literature review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismaila Ouedraogo ◽  
Borlli Michel J Some ◽  
Roland Benedikter ◽  
Gayo Diallo
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Study Selection ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Local Languages ◽  
Health Applications ◽  
Improve Health

Abstract Background: Since the launch of mobile phones three decade ago, the latter have been used to support healthcare systems through various mobile health (m-health) applications. In recent years, multiple mobile phone-based health projects and applications have emerged. Despite the great enthusiasm around m-health, few studies have examined the use of cell phones to improve health literacy in Africa. This paper aims to review studies related to the contribution of mobile technologies in improving health literacy in rural areas of Africa. Methods: We performed a four-step systematic review to identify relevant publications: (1) Database selection, (2) Keyword search, (3) Study selection and (4) Data extraction. In addition, manual searching methods were used to find keywords related to m-health initiatives in Africa. Discussion: Our search resulted in the identification of 38 studies and initiatives related to health literacy and mobile technologies in Africa. However, few of these studies focused on health literacy and mobile technologies in rural areas of Africa. We also found that m-health initiatives to date have not been inclusive, with very few integrating local languages in the development of m-health solutions. Our findings thus point to various potential avenues to be investigated in the future.

scholarly journals Investigating Health Literacy of Teachers in Asaluyeh

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Asadian ◽  
Ahmad Sotoudeh ◽  
Mojgan Zarei Venovel ◽  
Roghaieh Moosai
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Moderate Level ◽  
Literacy Teachers ◽  
Internet Resources ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Information Comprehension ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Improve Health

Background: Health literacy is defined as the ability of individuals to read, understand, and act on health-related concepts in order to make healthy decisions. This study was conducted to determine the level of health literacy of teachers in Asaluyeh city, Iran. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 200 teachers who were selected using stratified random sampling method in Asaluyeh in the academic year 2015 - 2016. Health Literacy for Iranian Adults questionnaire (HELIA) was used to measure their health literacy. Data were analyzed by SPSS20 and by using descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA, independent- samples T test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age of participants was 30.56 years (SD = 4.5(, 59% of them were male (n = 118) and 41% were female (n = 82). Teachers' health literacy status was in moderate level for 9.6% of participants (n = 99) regarding access to information, for 44.6% of participants (n = 89) regarding information comprehension in, for 68.4% of participants (n = 136) regarding judgment and assessment, and for 68.4% of participants (n = 136) regarding information use. We found that health literacy had a significant relationship with gender and age. Conclusion: In this study, teachers' health literacy was at moderate level. So, it is necessary to provide effective internet resources and useful sites. We should also conduct health education programs in media such as radio and television to improve health literacy in teachers, especially in more experienced teachers.   Keywords: Health Literacy, Teachers, Asaluyeh city

Perinatal Pathology: Practice Suggestions for Limited–Resource Settings

2013 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
pp. 775-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drucilla J. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Perinatal Pathology ◽  
Government Sector ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Morbidity Data ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Health Related

The practice of perinatal pathology in much of the world suffers, as do all subspecialties of anatomic pathology, from inadequate resources (equipment, consumables, and both professional and technical personnel), from lack of education (not only of the pathologist but also of the clinicians responsible for sending the specimens, and the technicians processing the specimens), and from lack of appropriate government sector support. Perinatal pathology has significant public health–related utility and should be championing its service by providing maternal and fetal/infant mortality and morbidity data to governmental health ministries. It is with this pathologic data that informed decisions can be made on health-related courses of action and allocation of resources. These perinatal pathology data are needed to develop appropriate public health initiatives, specifically toward achieving the Millennium Developmental Goals as the best way to effectively decrease infant and maternal deaths and to determine causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. The following overview will focus on the utility of perinatal pathology specifically as related to its public health function and will suggest methods to improve its service in resource-poor settings. This article is offered not as a critique of the current practice that most pathologists find themselves working in globally, but to provide suggestions for improving perinatal pathology services, which could be implemented with the limited available resources and manpower most pathology departments currently have. In addition, we offer suggestions for graded improvements (“ramping up”) over time.

Developmental Disorders in Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Palmeter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
The Public ◽  
Age Of Diagnosis ◽  
High Level ◽  
Project Objectives ◽  
Disability Severity ◽  
Occupational Function ◽  
Improve Health

In the completion of my practicum at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) this summer, I worked to develop a surveillance knowledge product to support the national surveillance of developmental disorders. This project used Statistics Canada’s 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability to investigate the burden of developmental disorders in Canada. Developmental disorders are conditions with onset in the developmental period. They are associated with developmental deficits and impairments of personal, social, academic, and occupational function. The project objectives are to estimate the prevalence of developmental disorders in Canadians 15 years of age or older, overall and by age and sex, as well as report on the age of diagnosis, disability severity, and disability co-occurrence in those with developmental disorders. The majority of the analysis has been completed and preliminary results completed, which cannot be released prior to PHAC publication. Although not highly prevalent, developmental disorders are associated with a high level of disability in young Canadians. Early detection and interventions have been shown to improve health and social outcomes among affected individuals. Understanding the burden of developmental disorders in Canada is essential to the development of public health policies and services.

Trend of Parental Refusal or Delay of Childhood Vaccinations

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meagan Marie Daoust
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Educational Context ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Parental Refusal

The healthcare trend of parental refusal or delay of childhood vaccinations will be investigated through a complex Cynefin Framework component in an economic and educational context, allowing patterns to emerge that suggest recommendations of change for the RN role and healthcare system. As a major contributing factor adding complexity to this trend, social media is heavily used for health related knowledge, making it is difficult to determine which information is most trustworthy. Missed opportunities for immunization can result, leading to economic and health consequences for the healthcare system and population. Through analysis of the powerful impact social media has on this evolving trend and public health, an upstream recommendation for RNs to respond with is to utilize reliable social media to the parents’ advantage within practice. The healthcare system should focus on incorporating vaccine-related education into existing programs and classes offered to parents, and implementing new vaccine classes for the public.

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