What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy is the ability to read, write, and speak about health habits in a variety of life situations and environments (Ubbes, 2014). Health literacy becomes the medium for individuals to gain emergent literacy skills (Reach Out & Read, 2020) then be able to practice functional health literacy, interactive health literacy, and critical health literacy to improve their health status (Nutbeam, 2000; Graphic by Ubbes & Ausherman, 2018).

What are Electronic Texts for Health Literacy©?

Our Health Literacy Database at Miami University advances a new genre of literature called Electronic Texts for Health Literacy© (Ubbes, 2012) which focus on realistic story narratives interwoven with textual and visual information to promote health-related skills and behaviors in authentic life situations and contexts.

How are Electronic Texts for Health Literacy© designed?

Our collection of Electronic Texts for Health Literacy© are designed from the Habits of Health and Habits of Mind Model (Ubbes, 2008), making E-Texts for Health Literacy a curriculum “on the go” for professionals, parents, and policy makers who promote health skills and behaviors across the lifespan. Many of our Electronic Texts for Health Literacy© are also aligned to the National Health Education Standards which “provide a framework for teachers, administrators, and policy makers in designing or selecting curricula, allocating instructional resources, and assessing student achievement and progress” (U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2014).

What is the goal of the Health Literacy Database at Miami University?

The main goal of the Health Literacy Database at Miami University is to give people access to valid, reliable, and authentic materials for the development of personal health models across the lifespan. Health literacy skills start early in life and are essential for giving “individuals confidence, support and skills they need to promote and advocate for the health of themselves, their families, and communities” (Rootman & Gordon-El-Bihbety, 2008, p. 23).

References

• 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.
• Reach Out and Read. (2020). Accessed from https://www.reachoutandread.org/why-we-matter/child-development/
• Rootman, I., & D. Gordon‐El‐Bihbety. (2008). A vision for a health literate Canada: Report of the expert panel on health literacy. Canadian Public Health Association, p. 23.
• Ubbes, V.A. (2008). Educating for health: An inquiry-based approach to preK-8 pedagogy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, p. 113.
• Ubbes, V.A. (2014). Health Literacy Database at Miami University. Available at http://dlp.lib.miamioh.edu/healthliteracy
• Ubbes, V.A. & Ausherman, J. (2018). A historical comparison of reading materials originating in the 19th & 20th centuries that contributed a language and vocabulary for functional health literacy. The Health Educator, 50(2), 26-40. 
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (2020). Accessed from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/sher/standards/index.htm