The need to pay attention to differences in health literacy and knowledge in health education interventions

Abstract

Dear Chief in Editor The Health Literacy (HL) is an individual and social capacity for access, understanding, evaluation of information and health services, and optimal utilization of it for health promotion [1]. Today, HL has been recognized as an important and vital indicator of the results and costs of health care the need for the effective health care system, has a good level of health literacy [2]. According to studies by the United States Health Care Strategies, people with low levels of HL are less likely to understand the written and spoken information provided by health professionals and act according to instructions, and therefore the have a poorer health status, hospitalization rates and referrals to the doctor are higher, they act poorly in self-care skills, have less preventive care, and thus incur more medical expenses [1]. There is a relationship between HL and knowledge [2]. HL, as well as knowledge, is a cognitive variable and low HL is a specific conceptual interpretation of poor knowledge [2]. Also, HL plays a role in completing the knowledge of individuals [3]. In health education and health promotion, knowledge has been used as an important variable in many interventions. The lack of adequate knowledge in individuals can be just one of the main reasons for not having a health behavior; in other words, increasing knowledge is a necessary but inadequate step for changing health behavior. Also, in various studies, knowledge has become an important factor in predicting behaviors [4]. Given the relationship between HL and knowledge and their Journal of Research & Health Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center Vol. 9, No.2, Mar & Apr 2019 Pages: 9596 DOI: 10.29252/jrh.9.2.95 Letter to Editor