A Qualitative Exploratory Study in Health Information and Health Communication Leadership in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
Delores Springs
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Misleading Information ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Barriers To Health

Low health literacy is a public health scourge. Health information and health literacy around COVID-19 is a miscalculated public health conundrum. Zarocostas referred to the COVID-19 not as a pandemic, but an info-demic because of the need for patients to be more health literate when they are being bombarded by inaccurate or misleading information from social media, public officials, and family. During a global pandemic, the need to understand and explore the nuances of health literacy has never been more pressing. This qualitative exploratory study uses the expertise of subject matter experts on health literacy to classify the barriers to health information literacy, the best practices for improving health information literacy, and the additional measures taken by medical providers during the COVID-19 outbreak ensure that patients have the most accurate and useful health information.

scholarly journals 31.C. Workshop: Development and implementation of action plans on health literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Action Plans

Abstract Health literacy (HL) has become an important topic in many countries. As HL - meaning the ability to access, understand, appraise and apply health information (Sørensen et al. 2012) - is important to make sound health decisions, to promote health and to take an active part in managing health and illness in everyday life and navigating the health care system. In the modern digital knowledge society, HL is also indispensable for orienting oneself in the abundance of mostly digital health information, including incorrect and false information, for locating reliable information and for assessing the trustworthiness and quality of information. However, available studies show that HL is insufficient in many countries. Low HL has - as many studies show - negative social consequences ranging from unhealthy behaviour, higher risk for diseases, less self-care and deficits in coping with illness and chronicity, to over- and misuse (extensive use) of health care. The promotion of HL is therefore an important public health task. An increasing number of population studies and policy documents currently underline this. The WHO has therefore included HL into many of its strategies, like the declarations of Shanghai (2016) and Astana (2018), and has published several publications focusing on HL, like the Solid Facts (2013), the 57th Health Evidence Network Report (2018) or the Roadmap for Implementing Health Literacy Activities (2019). In many countries, strategies and national action plans to improve HL have been developed in response to the political call for action, e.g. in Scotland, Germany and recently also in Portugal. Other countries and regions are currently working on the development of a HL action plan, e.g. Belgium and the WHO European Region action plan on HL. The development and especially the implementation strategies of action plans in different countries and the experiences gained will be discussed comparatively in the workshop. Following an introduction (10'), two countries, which already have action plans will introduce their implementation strategy in one presentation each: Germany and Portugal (30'). This will be followed by two presentations of countries/regions in which action plans are currently being developed: Belgium and WHO Europe (30'). Afterwards the participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss on the different strategies (20'). The workshop will help other initiatives to successfully develop and implement policy plans and strategies in different fields of public health. Key messages Strategies and national action plans to improve HL have been developed in different countries/regions. It is important to reflect on the chosen development and implementation strategies and to discuss their effects, successes and barriers.

scholarly journals A health literacy analysis of the consumer-oriented COVID-19 information produced by ten state health departments

2021 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandita S. Mani ◽  
Terri Ottosen ◽  
Megan Fratta ◽  
Fei Yu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Public Health Departments ◽  
Material Type ◽  
Information Materials

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the public’s need for quality health information that is understandable. This study aimed to identify (1) the extent to which COVID-19 messaging by state public health departments is understandable, actionable, and clear; (2) whether materials produced by public health departments are easily readable; (3) relationships between material type and understandability, actionability, clarity, and reading grade level; and (4) potential strategies to improve public health messaging around COVID-19. Methods: Based on US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics from June 30, 2020, we identified the ten states with the most COVID-19 cases and selected forty-two materials (i.e., webpages, infographics, and videos) related to COVID-19 prevention according to predefined eligibility criteria. We applied three validated health literacy tools (i.e., Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, CDC Clear Communication Index, and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level) to assess material understandability, actionability, clarity, and readability. We also analyzed correlations between scores on the three health literacy tools and material types.Results: Overall, COVID-19 materials had high understandability and actionability but could be improved in terms of clarity and readability. Material type was significantly correlated with understandability, actionability, and clarity. Infographics and videos received higher scores on all tools.Conclusions: Based on our findings, we recommend public health entities apply a combination of these tools when developing health information materials to improve their understandability, actionability, and clarity. We also recommend using infographics and videos when possible, taking a human-centered approach to information design, and providing multiple modes and platforms for information delivery.

A conceptual approach to practitioners’ health information literacy

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-190
Author(s):  
Ann Hallyburton
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine healthcare professionals’ own health literacy through the lenses of information behavior and evidence-based practice. These practitioners’ health information literacy is critical to client care. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper applies general and professional-specific models of information behavior and issues of bias to methods in which healthcare practitioners seek, evaluate and use research information within professional practice. Findings Case examples from library, medical and the broader healthcare literature are used to explore ways in which care professionals’ information behaviors align with or deviate from information behavior models and the role of different types of bias in their information behavior. Adaption of evidence-based practice precepts, already familiar to healthcare professionals, is proposed as a method to improve practitioners’ health information literacy. Originality/value Explorations of “health literacy” have primarily focused on healthcare consumers’ interactions with basic health information and services. The health literacy (and health information literacy) of care practitioners has received much less attention. By gaining a greater understanding of how information behaviors intersect with healthcare practitioners’ own health literacy, the librarians and educators who serve future and current care professionals can offer more informed information literacy instruction, enabling practitioners to provide improved patient care.

Improving health information to address low health literacy for patients with multimorbidity

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 481
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Jessup ◽  
Polina Putrik ◽  
Alison Beauchamp
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Letter To The Editor ◽  
Low Health Literacy

A letter to the editor in response to the recently published article by Hill and Sofra (AHR, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 134–9) on improving health information.

scholarly journals Utility of medicines information leaflets in hypertensive care in a setting with low health literacy: A cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 239920262091003
Author(s):  
Mtungwazi Kudzinesta ◽  
Mwangana Mubita ◽  
Francis Kalemeera ◽  
Brian Godman ◽  
Ester Hango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Information Leaflets ◽  
Medicines Information ◽  
Low Health Literacy

Introduction: Higher levels of health literacy improve utilization of health information, medication adherence and outcomes. Few studies evaluate the utility of medicines information in hypertensive care in settings with low health literacy. Aim: To determine the level of health literacy and utility of medicines information leaflets (MILs) among hypertensive patients in public health care in Namibia. Methods: A hospital-based survey among hypertensive patients receiving care at a referral hospital in Namibia from the 8 June 2018 to 29 June 2018. Patient’s health literacy and utility of MIL were assessed using three literacy tools and a survey questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic content analysis for factors associate with the utility of the MIL. Results: Of the 139 patients, 63% were female and the mean age was 45.7 (range: 19.0–84.0) years. Over 85.6% had of low literacy skills (Rapid Estimate of Literacy in Medicine (REALM) score <44, that is, unable to read simple health materials), 38.8% had positive Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS) scores (⩾2, require help to read medicines information) and 66.9% had inadequate skills for comprehension, appraisal and decision-making with regard to health information (Health Literacy Skills Instrument-Short Form (HLSI-SF) score <70%). The level of access to and utility of MIL were low, 32.4% and 34.6%, respectively. The main factors associated with poor utility of the MIL were low patient health literacy, lack of guidelines on the use of MIL and MIL written in non-native languages. Conclusion: Low rates of health literacy and utility of MIL were observed among hypertensive patients in Namibia. The integration of health literacy programmes, and MIL guidelines are needed to promote utility of medicine information and improve medication adherence.

Health Information Preferences of Parents in a Pediatric Emergency Department

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 519-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Drent ◽  
David C. Brousseau ◽  
Andrea K. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
General Information ◽  
Education Material ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level

Parents of children seeking nonurgent care in the emergency department completed surveys concerning media use and preferences for health education material. Results were compiled using descriptive statistics, compared by health literacy level with logistic regression, adjusting for race/ethnicity and income. Semistructured qualitative interviews to elicit reasons for preferences, content preference, and impact of health information were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. Surveys (n = 71) showed that despite equal access to online health information, parents with low health literacy were more likely to use the internet less frequently than daily ( P < .01). Surveys and interviews (n = 30) revealed that health information will be most effective when distributed by a health care professional and must be made available in multiple modalities. Parents requested general information about childhood illness, including diagnosis, treatment, and signs and symptoms. Many parents believed that appropriate health information would change their decision-making regarding seeking care during their child’s next illness.

A Participatory Photonovel as a Linguistic Tool for Educating ESL-Speaking Immigrant Women About Health Information

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Nimmon
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Culturally Relevant ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Barriers To Health Care ◽  
Informational Barriers ◽  
Barriers To Health ◽  
Literacy Tool

Issues such as the linguistic and informational barriers to health care must be addressed if immigrant women are to achieve optimum health status for themselves and their families. This study used a participatory photonovel as a tool to educate ESL-speaking immigrant women about health information. This research illustrates five ESL-speaking immigrant women’s responses to the use of a participatory photonovel as a health literacy tool. The findings reveal the women’s perspectives on the use of culturally relevant visuals and simplified English in the photonovel as being conducive to their understanding of health information.

A Study of the Health Literacy Needs of People With Visual Impairments

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracie Harrison ◽  
Sarah Guy ◽  
Michael Mackert ◽  
Janiece Walker ◽  
Pat Pound
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Visual Function Questionnaire ◽  
Barriers To Health ◽  
Multiple Health

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand preferences surrounding health literacy for 18 men and women with permanent and severe visual impairment (VI). Participants completed demographic questions—the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ)—and 1 semi-structured interview to ascertain views on obtaining, processing, and understanding health information. Overall, the sample had low total eye health scores on the NEI-VFQ—indicating that the sample represented a group with severe visual impairments. The sample mentioned multiple health promotion topics of interest and types of devices used to gain information. They also described multiple barriers to health information, which could be eliminated. Implications for intervention development and technology use are provided.

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