What does health literacy enable individuals to do?

Health literacy fundamentally empowers individuals to comprehend and utilize health information, which is crucial for making informed decisions about their health and healthcare. When people possess strong health literacy skills, they are better equipped to navigate the complex healthcare system, understand medical instructions and information, engage in self-care, and communicate effectively with healthcare providers.

Understanding health information includes interpreting prescription labels, medical pamphlets, the nutrition information on food packaging, and the nuances of health insurance policies. With this knowledge, individuals can advocate for themselves, engage in preventive health practices, and manage chronic conditions more effectively. Ultimately, higher health literacy contributes to improved health outcomes, as individuals are more likely to seek appropriate care and adhere to treatment guidelines.

While the other options touch on various aspects of healthcare, they do not encapsulate the core function of health literacy as effectively as the ability to use health information for informed decision-making. Accessing medical records, reducing costs, or increasing healthcare needs are not direct implications of health literacy, which primarily focuses on comprehension and actionable use of health-related information.