LITERACY AND HEALTH

Literacy plays a key role in health.
Low literacy has a negative impact on
life expectancy, diseases
(like cancer, diabetes, heart disease),
and accidents.

Low literacy increases health care costs
as patients misunderstand health data,
misuse medications,
or require longer hospital stays.

Low-literate learners have problems reading
and understanding health information
unless it is clearly presented.
They are more likely to work and live
in unsafe or dangerous environments
and to suffer the consequences.⁵