Health Literacy Booklet

Health Literacy

Health literacy means having the skills to access, understand and use information for health (The Canadian Public Health Association)

60% of adults in Canada are unable to obtain, understand and act upon health information and services and to make appropriate health decisions on their own. Seniors, immigrants and unemployed people have, on average, lower levels of health literacy skills (Health Literacy in Canada: A Healthy Understanding – Canadian Council on Learning, 2008).

Health literacy impacts our ability to:

  • Make healthy lifestyle choices (i.e. compare nutrition labels)
  • Find AND understand health & safety information
  • Communicate with health providers (i.e. share information about our health history & symptoms)

Manage your health literacy. Get YLC’s free Health Booklet.