4 Ways To Improve Your Health Literacy
It’s been said that “the greatest wealth is health." Most of us take it for granted until we experience health issues ourselves. Over time, we become aware of the priceless gift of good health and learn to appreciate it more. Many of us feel some level of regret, wondering what we could have done differently to prevent certain diseases or discomforts.
You are not alone. Limited health literacy is a national issue, which can result in preventable diseases, more visits to the hospital, and higher healthcare costs. The good news is that health literacy information is on the rise so that we can educate the younger generations on how to care for themselves, along with taking better care of ourselves.
What is health literacy?
The CDC defines personal health literacy as “the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.”
The most recent study on this topic was conducted in 2003 by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), which assessed the health literacy of U.S. adults. The results of the study were astounding. Only 12 percent of the participants had Proficient skills, 53 percent had Intermediate skills, and 36 percent had Below Basic/Basic. In general, the health literacy level increased as the educational level increased. Low health literacy is linked to poor health and more preventable hospital visits.
The solution is clear - educating and implementing these skills at home. The 4 ideas below are practical ways to improve health literacy for all ages.
Encourage good hygiene habits with your morning and evening routine.
Make it a fun and essential part of your everyday routine to brush your teeth. Kids should start brushing their teeth as soon as their first tooth erupts. Brushing teeth twice a day for 2 minutes is vital. It is even more critical to brush your teeth before bed, as cavities tend to form overnight.
Flossing daily is important as well, as brushing cannot reach in between the teeth. One great way to establish the flossing habit for kids is to use “floss sticks” that come in different colors. As kids reach adolescence, consider adding deodorant as part of their daily routine.
2. Have your kids schedule their doctor’s appointments.
Have your kids call the doctor’s office to make an appointment to make them more engaged. You can guide them with how to call, what to mention, and the date/time to make the appointment.
It would also be helpful for them to write down a list of questions they have for the doctor to have a sense of agency over their health. A general guideline is to visit the dentist 1-2 times a year (starting at age 1) and your primary doctor once a year.
3. Eat the rainbow and learn about nutrition.
Challenge your family to eat the rainbow. This means that you aim to add foods of different colors into your meals and snacks so that you can guarantee a good variety of nutrients and vitamins.
A few examples are shared below:
Carrots (and other orange vegetables) are rich in beta carotene, which the human body converts into Vitamin A, helpful in improving eye health.
Leafy greens, including spinach, are considered “brain food”, packed with Vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene. They are linked with slowing down cognitive decline.
4. Implement wellness daily habits for both mental and physical health.
Physical health refers to your body's well-being, taking into account your absence of disease to fitness level. Practical ways to strengthen your physical health include washing hands, coughing into your elbow or tissue, getting exercise, spending time outdoors, and sleeping adequately. You can turn exercise into a family activity by walking together after dinner.
In addition to prioritizing physical health, mental health is essential. Carving out quiet time to pray or read, if even 5 minutes a day, can benefit your mental health. The key is minimizing moments of screen time when possible, such as before bed and during mealtimes.
The bottom line.
As parents, we hope to raise future adults who can take good care of themselves and their families. The best way for kids to learn any skill is to have it modeled at home. Caring for yourself not only impacts you but those around you. If you are rested, joyful, and healthy, you will likely be the best version of yourself.
Our days consist of tiny decisions that significantly impact our lives. Arming our kids with self-confidence and resourcefulness will help them gain autonomy over their health. Making the one seemingly small decision to teach your kids about health literacy will significantly benefit them in the long run.