Do you sometimes feel unsure when you have to make a decision that affects your health? For example, when you receive a medical diagnosis or are faced with the question of whether a particular treatment makes sense for you? But even when you read articles about nutrition tips or look up information online about certain symptoms or health conditions, you somehow have to find your way through the jungle of health information. Here, you’ll learn how to recognize reliable information, use it thoughtfully, and make healthy decisions for yourself.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), so-called health literacy is an important factor in health and well-being. It refers to the ability to find, understand, critically evaluate, and use health information in your own life. It’s not about accumulating medical knowledge, but rather about being able to use relevant information in a meaningful way when making personal decisions.
Good health literacy can empower you in many situations in everyday life. It helps you navigate the healthcare system, make informed use of preventive care services, and fully understand your treatment. At the same time, it makes it easier to distinguish reliable sources from questionable ones. Especially as medical information becomes increasingly complex and we encounter a wide range of health-related messages every day, this skill is becoming more and more important.
3 levels of health literacy
The ability to deal effectively with health-related information and make informed, independent decisions can be divided into three areas. As you read, think about which of these skills you already feel confident in and which ones you find more challenging.
1. Understanding & applying information
The first level is known as functional health literacy. It refers to the basic skills you need to understand health information and apply it correctly in everyday life. This includes medical recommendations, information about medications, or written communications from hospitals.
Example: Imagine that you’ve been prescribed a new medication. To use it safely, you need to correctly understand and follow the instructions in the package insert or from your pharmacist—for example, how to take the medication, what side effects may occur, and when you should seek medical advice.
2. Asking questions & participating in decisions
The second level is known as interactive health literacy. It refers to the ability to actively seek out health information and discuss it with healthcare professionals. This allows you to apply advice and professional knowledge specifically to your own situation. This skill helps you take an active role in medical appointments, consultations, and treatment decisions rather than simply being a passive recipient of information.
Example: Imagine that your doctor recommends a particular treatment. Instead of simply accepting the recommendation, you ask about its potential benefits and risks, what alternatives are available, and what the consequences of making a different choice might be. This helps you better understand the recommendation and decide together with your healthcare provider what makes sense for you.
3. Critically evaluating & putting information into context
The third level is known as critical health literacy. It refers to the ability to question health information and assess its quality. This is essential for making well-informed decisions. Especially in the age of social media, online health advice, and constantly available health information, this skill is becoming increasingly important.
Example: Imagine that you come across a social media post promoting a particular dietary supplement as a solution to a wide range of health problems. Instead of immediately following the recommendation, you check who published the post, whether it cites scientific evidence, and whether reputable sources have reached similar conclusions. This can help you distinguish information based on reliable scientific evidence from advertising or personal opinion.
6 tips for strengthening your health literacy
The good news is that your health literacy develops over time and can be intentionally strengthened in everyday life. Try out the following tips the next time you have the opportunity:
- Not believing information right away: Whether it’s a magazine article, social media post, or well-intentioned advice from someone you know, try not to accept information without checking it first. It’s often helpful to consider where the information comes from: Who published it? Is there scientific evidence to support it? Does it also mention potential risks or uncertainties? The more often you ask yourself these questions, the easier it becomes to recognize reliable information.
- Choosing online sources carefully: The internet provides quick access to health information, but not every source is equally trustworthy. Pay attention to whether the information is up to date and presented in a clear, understandable way. Are there other reputable sources that have reached the same conclusions? A healthy degree of skepticism is especially useful when something is presented as a simple solution to a complex problem.
- Making the most of conversations with healthcare professionals: Many people only realize after a medical appointment that important questions remain unanswered. It can be helpful to prepare for future appointments in advance. Write down your questions or symptoms beforehand, and ask follow-up questions if something is unclear. Questions such as “What does this mean for me specifically?“ or “Could you please explain that in simpler terms?“ can help you better understand the information and avoid misunderstandings.
- Not rushing into decisions: Especially when it comes to treatments, medical tests, or long-term therapies, it’s worth taking the time to carefully consider the information. Compare different sources, ask follow-up questions, and, if needed, seek a second professional opinion. Important decisions are best made without feeling pressured by time.
- Getting to know your own health: Knowing your medical history, diagnoses, medications, or test results can make it easier to follow conversations with healthcare professionals and ask more specific questions. It can therefore be helpful to keep important health records and ask for explanations when you come across terms you don’t understand.
- Accepting support: No one has to navigate complex health topics alone. Sometimes it can help to bring someone you trust to a medical appointment or discuss important information together. If needed, you can also contact public or local patient support and counseling services—online, by phone, or in person.
You’ve now learned what good health literacy involves. The practical tips can also help you approach health information more thoughtfully and make well-informed, personal decisions. This can give you a better overview of a wide range of health topics and help you take greater control of your own well-being.
You can find further information on this topic here:
Abel, T., Sommerhalder, K. (2015). Gesundheitskompetenz/Health Literacy. Bundesgesundheitsblatt, 58, 923–929. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-015-2198-2
Nutbeam, D. (2000). Health literacy as a public health goal: a challenge for contemporary health education and communication strategies into the 21st century. Health Promotion International, 15(3), 259–267. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/15.3.259
Rudd, R. E. (2015). The evolving concept of Health literacy: New directions for health literacy studies. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 8(1), 7–9. https://doi.org/10.1179/1753806815Z.000000000105