Why is health literacy an important aspect of positive ageing?
Introduction
“England’s population is ageing. In the next 25 years, the number of people older than 85 will double to 2.6 million. In many ways this is something to celebrate. Older people make a valuable contribution to society and the economy, including through continued employment, informal care for grandchildren and other relatives, and volunteering.” (The Health Foundation, 2021).
Positive Ageing
In 2022 we asked our BJF community members to tell us about positive ageing. Older people told us that the key to ageing well is being able to stay as active as possible in mind and body, with a positive attitude from both the person and from society. Being independent and continuing to enjoy life are the goal.
Health Literacy
Personal health literacy is being able to find, understand and use information and services, to speak up about our health and to take positive action for our wellbeing.
Organisational health literacy is when organisations enable people to find, understand and use health information to inform our decisions and actions for better health and wellbeing.
Health information (written and spoken) can be complicated. Finding our way around health services and systems can be difficult enough. In times of poor health and with the shock of hearing a new diagnosis, it can be harder to take in health information. It can also be harder to ask questions about our health.
Research shows that 43% of UK adults find it hard to understand written health information, and this number rises to 61% when numbers are included.
“Ageing involves rising challenges for health and well-being. At the same time, older age has been associated with having low health literacy. Health literacy is essential for comprehension of the complex information that older adults need to make health decisions.” (Lindsay Clare Kobayashi, 2016)
A study by researchers from University College London (UCL) in 2012 suggests that a third of older adults in England have difficulties reading and understanding basic health related written information. Those with the poorest understanding are at greatest risk of mortality.
We all need clear health information and services that are easy to navigate to make informed decisions about our health, to reduce health risks and to help maximise our health and wellbeing.
Click on the link or on the image to watch a film: Stoke on Trent City Council – Health Literacy
Health Literacy and Community Health Champions
Dr Mike Oliver specialises in health literacy and is currently working on the Health Literate Organisation programme of work with NHS England and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. The programme focuses on how health and care organisations can become more health literate in the way they support people. Mike has previously supported Beth Johnson Foundation, providing health literacy training, offering advice and support, helping us to champion positive ageing.
Mike works with the Stoke-on-Trent Community Health Champion project coordinated by VAST Home – Community Health Champions (vast.org.uk)
Health Literacy for organisations
Health literacy levels will vary amongst older people due to different levels of skill and understanding information (reading, writing and numbers) and other factors. The health literacy levels of older people can also fluctuate and decline during periods of ill health, or as memory problems develop due to ageing or dementia. Therefore, it is important that organisations do what they can to ensure information about health is clear, that people are supported to find, understand, and use health information and providing clear health information that is consistent throughout organisations.
In the paper ‘System and Organisational Health Literacy, Delivering improved population health outcomes, tackling health inequalities & improved health and care performance’ (2024) Dr Mike Oliver focuses on Organisational Health Literacy. The document provides clear guidance for organisations and detailed examples of how organisations have made the change to become ‘Health Literate organisations that make it easier for people to find, understand and act on health information.’
For more information in health literacy please contact:
Dr Mike Oliver, Health Psychologist and Health Literacy Steering Group Member [email protected]
You can also visit www.healthliteracymatters.co.uk
