What is health literacy?

Health literacy is the ability to understand and utilise information in order to achieve and maintain good health. It’s more than simply carrying out a doctor’s instructions; it empowers people to play an active role in the health of themselves and their communities.

Time for some numbers.

Did you know that only 40% of Australians (that’s over 10 million people) are considered adequately health literate?

Up to 55% of Queensland’s PPH (Potentially Preventable Hospitalisations) could be avoided by increasing health literacy and improving patient education, saving our healthcare system up to $1.1 billion annually.

Building a health literate organisation

Graphics et al. has been built from the ground up with a focus on improving health literacy and reducing inequities in health education. However, there are some simple things everyone can do to aid health literacy and patient education, regardless of where they fit into the healthcare industry.

We’ve put together a toolkit below with some useful resources and free tools that you can implement.