helseliteracy

Helseliteracy is a term used in some health education and information-literacy discussions to describe an individual's capacity to locate, interpret, evaluate, and apply health-related information from diverse sources to maintain health and participate in medical decisions. The term is not widely adopted in policy or practice, and its definition varies. Some usages emphasize not only understanding information but also translating it into concrete actions, including digital health tools.

Dimensions commonly associated with helseliteracy include reading and numeracy related to health content, critical appraisal of sources, and the ability to navigate health systems and digital platforms. It is sometimes described as broader or more action-oriented than traditional health literacy, incorporating self-management and empowerment.

Measurement and evidence: There is no widely accepted instrument specifically for helseliteracy; researchers often adapt health-literacy or information-literacy measures or develop new scales. Research in this area is preliminary, and connections to health outcomes remain tentative.

Challenges and outlook: Terminological ambiguity and overlap with established concepts hinder comparisons. Proponents argue that clarifying helseliteracy could improve patient education and health communication, particularly in digital contexts, while skeptics call for clearer definitions and robust measurement.

See also: health literacy; digital health literacy; information literacy.