A Snapshot Picture: Health Literacy, Attitudes, and Behavior
Abstract
Background: Health communication between healthcare providers and clients is integral to achieving health goals and improved health outcomes. Healthy People 2030 considers health literacy as a high public priority and supports increasing health literacy. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the need to provide health literacy to address the myths, misinformation, and disinformation associated with how the virus is spread, masking, testing, social distancing, conspiracy theories, vaccines, and other facets. Through the awarding of a federal grant from the Health and Human Services (HHS) and Office of Minority Health (OMH) [Grant Number 1 CPIMP211229] to advance health literacy through equitable community responses to COVID-19 a health literacy program to tackle myths related to COVID-19 was designed and implemented.
Method: The health literacy program provided participants access to a workshop designed to address myths, misinformation, and disinformation related to COVID-19. Additionally, participants were provided with information on how to find and appraise trusted sources of health information. At the end of the workshop, participants completed a brief anonymous survey with questions addressing attitudes and behaviors related to the impact and spread of COVID-19 misinformation, and the appraisal of COVID-19 health information. The program findings were analyzed using a quantitative descriptive approach.
Results: From Summer 2023 to Fall 2023, 11 health literacy workshops addressing COVID-19 myths, misinformation, and disinformation were offered. There were 32 participants during the above time frame. After completion of the health literacy program, regarding participants attitudes, 87.51% of participants reported concern about the impact of misinformation related to COVID-19; 93.75% of the participants reported stopping the spread of COVID-19 misinformation is everyone’s responsibility; and 96.88% of participants reported it is possible to stop the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, regarding behaviors,100% of participants reported a positive behavior change to give more conscious thought to information related to COVID-19.
Conclusion: The health literacy program findings identify a positive connection between health literacy, attitudes, and behavior. Additionally, the program findings support the need for healthcare providers to provide health literacy, facilitate understanding of the health information provided, and continuously monitor the attitudes and behaviors of clients receiving health information to potentially improve health outcomes.
Keywords: Health Literacy, Evaluation, Intervention, Health Education Strategies
Keywords
Health Literacy, Evaluation, Intervention, Health Education Strategies
A Snapshot Picture: Health Literacy, Attitudes, and Behavior
Background: Health communication between healthcare providers and clients is integral to achieving health goals and improved health outcomes. Healthy People 2030 considers health literacy as a high public priority and supports increasing health literacy. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the need to provide health literacy to address the myths, misinformation, and disinformation associated with how the virus is spread, masking, testing, social distancing, conspiracy theories, vaccines, and other facets. Through the awarding of a federal grant from the Health and Human Services (HHS) and Office of Minority Health (OMH) [Grant Number 1 CPIMP211229] to advance health literacy through equitable community responses to COVID-19 a health literacy program to tackle myths related to COVID-19 was designed and implemented.
Method: The health literacy program provided participants access to a workshop designed to address myths, misinformation, and disinformation related to COVID-19. Additionally, participants were provided with information on how to find and appraise trusted sources of health information. At the end of the workshop, participants completed a brief anonymous survey with questions addressing attitudes and behaviors related to the impact and spread of COVID-19 misinformation, and the appraisal of COVID-19 health information. The program findings were analyzed using a quantitative descriptive approach.
Results: From Summer 2023 to Fall 2023, 11 health literacy workshops addressing COVID-19 myths, misinformation, and disinformation were offered. There were 32 participants during the above time frame. After completion of the health literacy program, regarding participants attitudes, 87.51% of participants reported concern about the impact of misinformation related to COVID-19; 93.75% of the participants reported stopping the spread of COVID-19 misinformation is everyone’s responsibility; and 96.88% of participants reported it is possible to stop the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, regarding behaviors,100% of participants reported a positive behavior change to give more conscious thought to information related to COVID-19.
Conclusion: The health literacy program findings identify a positive connection between health literacy, attitudes, and behavior. Additionally, the program findings support the need for healthcare providers to provide health literacy, facilitate understanding of the health information provided, and continuously monitor the attitudes and behaviors of clients receiving health information to potentially improve health outcomes.
Keywords: Health Literacy, Evaluation, Intervention, Health Education Strategies
