Health Literacy Month

Health Literacy = Health Power: Why Understanding Matters This October

October is Health Literacy Month, and I want to talk about something that touches us all… how well we understand health information. Being able to read it is one thing, but being able to really use it to make better choices for ourselves and our families, that’s where the power lies.

A lot of people don’t realize just how big of an issue this is. Did you know that nearly 9 out of 10 adults struggle with health literacy and understanding health information at some point? (CDC, 2021). That’s almost everyone you know. And when health information is confusing, it leads to big problems like more hospital visits, missed preventive screenings, and even medication errors (AHRQ).

Here’s the good news… we can fix this by learning, practicing, and sharing.

💡 3 Things to Learn:

• First, health literacy is about more than just reading, it’s about understanding, applying, and asking questions (CDC, 2021).
• Second, when patients ask “What does that really mean for me?” it not only improves health outcomes, but also builds confidence.
• And third, spreading health literacy in your community lowers risks for everyone.

🌱 3 Ways to Live It:

• Start by asking questions at medical visits until you fully understand your options. No shame… your health is worth it.
• Next, only use trusted sources like the CDC, NIH, or the Force for Health® Network instead of “Dr. Google.”
• And finally, take what you’ve learned and teach friends and family how to double-check health information before acting on it.

🤝 3 Resources to Share:

Save and share these links to boost health literacy with others.

• The CDC’s Health Literacy Basics is an easy starting place.
• The AHRQ Health Literacy Toolkit gives simple tools and checklists.
• And the National Library of Medicine provides resources in multiple languages.

And don’t forget, we’ve also got your back here on the Force for Health® platform. I recommend checking out these helpful starting places: Health Literacy 101, the Population Health BASICS Journey, and Social Determinants of Health.

✨ Friends, this isn’t just about reading. It’s about empowering yourself and the people you love. Imagine how much healthier our families and communities could be if everyone understood how to take action with their health.

🚀 Challenge Time!

This October, I challenge you to take the October Health Awareness VIP Champ Challenge! Commit to raising your health literacy, try out what you learn, and earn your badge right here: 👉 October Health Awareness Challenge.

Together, let’s Learn It, Live It, and Share It… because knowledge really is health power.