health literacy


A measure of a person’s ability to understand health-related information and make informed decisions about that information. Health literacy includes interpreting prescriptions and following self care instructions

health literacy

Health care A measure of a person's ability to understand health-related information and make informed decisions about that information; HL includes interpreting prescriptions and following self care insturctions. See Literacy.

health lit·er·a·cy

(helth lit'ĕr-ă-sē) nursing Ability of members of the public to read, understand, and interpret health care information.

health literacy

The capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services. A certain minimal degree of health literacy is necessary in order to make appropriate health decisions.