Health Literacy Awareness Month

Health Literacy is having the knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence to be able to use health and care information and services to make good health decisions.

Health literacy is recognised as a social determinant of health.  Poor health literacy is linked to unhealthy behaviours and an increased risk of illness and early death.  Having good health literacy helps us to make good health choices and good health choices can help us to stay healthier for longer.

The Northern Trust service user group has developed a logo and strapline to improve awareness and understanding of the term health literacy for both service users and staff.

Service users are encouraged to use ‘Ask me 3’ to ensure they understand what they’re being told and are clear on what steps they need to take:

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

If you’re struggling with information please ask, staff are there to assist and would prefer that you leave any encounter understanding.

7th October 2019