October is Health Literacy Month

Several barriers exist in the U.S. regarding the health literacy of the general public. The U.S. healthcare system is dynamic and complex, and navigating it can be challenging for those facing health literacy barriers. This is why public health communicators and the general public at large need to recognize and promote October’s status as Health Literacy Month. According to the CDC, personal health literacy is “the degree to which individuals can find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.” Here’s what you need to know about health literacy, the scope of health literacy challenges in the U.S., and what public health communicators should think about when creating and adapting resources for the public.