International literacy day is celebrated annually on September 8. This is a global observance aimed for highlighting the fact and importance of literacy in promoting social and economic development. Literacy is the ability of reading, writing, and understanding the basis of information. Also literacy is an important human right which plays a pivotal role in improving health outcomes.
In this blog, we will learn about the importance of literacy in forming human health. Literacy in fact promotes the well-being through education. On the occasion of international literacy day, let’s check out the bond between literacy and health.
The connection between literacy and health
The connection between literacy and health is quite intreging. Here are some factors in which literacy makes a positive impact on health outcomes.
Improved health knowledge: Individuals who are educated/literate are far better equipped with the access and understanding of health issues. They get this informations from various mediums like; books, newspapers, and even from online resources. The knowledge of health helps a person to take great decisions regarding his/her body. Good practices like, healthy lifestyles, seeking preventive cares and following treatment plans are the seed of health literacy.
Improved disease prevention: Literacy is important to understand the importance of knowing and practicing preventive health practices. Matters like proper health, nutrition and immunization are some of the important ones to prevent diseases. But, if you are not literate then will not know the importance of health guidelines. Literate individuals can take proactive steps to prevent diseases and build helthy living.
Better health care utilization: Literate individuals are most likely to utilize healthcare services effectively than illiterate individuals. They can communicate with health care providers. Also it helps to follow them the medical instructions. For which this helps in reducing health disparities and other issues.
Women empowerment: Literacy is basically regarded as a box of chocolate. It helps to increase many economic opportunities, which includes employment and education. Literacy helps women to make better decisions regarding their health and reproductive rights. It helps them to access maternal health issues also serves child healthcare services. Literacy helps women to participate in family planning and raise their children healthier.
Economic opportunities: Literacy helps individuals to figure out the prospect of opportunities. Especially in fields like employment and education literacy is important. By improving literacy skills individuals can increase their earning opportunity and have the access of healthcare options.
Promoting literacy and health on international literacy day : While celebrating international literacy day and emphasize the connection between health and literacy, here are some basic initiatives that can be implemented. There are some initiatives which can be implemented to ensure the connection between literacy and health.
Literacy Campaign: By organizing literacy campaigns we can ensure every communities to promote reading and writing of all ages.
Health Education Program: Play out health education programme in which literacy incorporates. Like, reading health related materials and other educational resources.
Mobile health units: Deploy mobile health units so that it can reach remote areas and provide healthcare services, including health education and understanding population.
If we invest in both literacy and education we can empower individuals to restore their health. Also they can improve the quality of their life and build healthy atmosphere. International literacy day ensures this opportunity to raise awareness of the important issue of health and literacy.
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Mostofa Imam
Intern
Content writing department
YSSE