Health Literacy
Define Health Literacy
Health literacy refers to the ability of individuals to access and understand health information and to use this information to make informed, wise decisions.
How could an individual improve their health literacy?
Accessing, Reading, comprehending
Ask questions during appointments, Learn basic medical terms, Research, speak to those who have gone through a similar experience
•Embed health literacy into high-level systems and organisational policies and practices
•Ensure that health information is clear, focused and useable, and that interpersonal communication is effective
•Integrate health literacy into education for consumers and healthcare providers.
Identify the four factors influencing the use of health products and services.
Media
Transport
Cost
Consumer confidence
List five common health products or services used by Australians
Sunscreen
Paracetamol
Bandaids
Vitamins/Supplements
Medicare
Private health insurance
What is social marketing, and how is it used in health promotion?
Social marketing is the use of marketing principles and techniques to influence behaviors that benefit individuals and communities for the greater social good. In health promotion, it is used to encourage positive health behaviors, such as promoting vaccination, healthy eating, and smoking cessation, through targeted campaigns and media strategies.
List two groups in Australia who are more likely to experience low health literacy and explain why.
Older adults – They may face difficulties due to cognitive decline or unfamiliarity with digital health tools.
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities – They may have language barriers or lack access to health information in their native language
Females generally have better levels of health literacy. Why could this be?
1. Greater Engagement with the Health System
Women are more likely to:
Visit doctors regularly (for themselves and dependents)
Use preventative health services (like screenings and check-ups)
Manage healthcare for children or elderly family members
➡️ This frequent exposure helps build knowledge, confidence, and familiarity with medical information and systems.
Traditionally, women have taken on caregiving roles in families and communities.
This often involves:
Understanding symptoms
Following medical instructions
Communicating with health professionals
➡️ These experiences develop practical health knowledge and communication skills over time.
Explain how a person living in remote Western Australia might face barriers to accessing health services.
They may experience limited availability of health professionals, long travel distances, lack of transport, and slower emergency response times.
Describe one health service and one product that support mental health.
Service: Headspace – provides mental health support for young people.
Product: Meditation apps (e.g., Smiling Mind) – promote relaxation and stress management.
Give an example of a successful social marketing campaign in Australia that promoted health behaviour change.
The "Quit" campaign in Australia is a successful example of social marketing. It used powerful messaging, such as graphic images of smoking-related health problems, to encourage smokers to quit. It utilized a range of media channels, including TV ads, billboards, and social media, to reach a broad audience and increase quit rates.
Identify two ways low health literacy can affect a person’s ability to manage a chronic condition such as diabetes.
They may misunderstand instructions about how and when to take medication, leading to poor blood sugar control.
They might not recognize symptoms of complications or know when to seek medical help, increasing the risk of serious health issues.
Describe the three levels pf health literacy.
1. Functional health literacy:
•Individuals have enough health literacy to choose products and services for personal use, read and follow instructions on labels and have some knowledge of risks.
2. Interactive health literacy:
•Describes individuals who seek to improve personal skills and strategies to act on health advice
3. Critical health literacy
•Describes individuals possessing the cognition and skills (communication, investigation) to initiate social and political action for health outcomes.
Explain how advertising can influence young people’s choices of health products.
Advertising can shape perceptions of a product’s effectiveness or desirability, often using celebrities or influencers to build trust or appeal to lifestyle goals.
How does health literacy affect a person’s use of health products?
Higher health literacy helps people choose appropriate products, read labels correctly, and avoid misuse or overuse of medications.
What challenges do social marketing campaigns face when promoting mental health?
Challenges in promoting mental health include overcoming stigma, addressing misinformation, and ensuring the messages are sensitive and inclusive. Mental health issues can be complex and vary across individuals, so campaigns must ensure they are accessible and relevant to diverse audiences while providing support resources.
Describe three skills for health literacy
•ACCESSING- Able to obtain the info you need, appropriate, relevant info
•READING- Being able to read info, published in what language?
•COMPREHENDING- Being able to understand the info, understanding medical jargon
◦Self-care: looking after yourself or personal health maintenance
Disease Management: Teaches patients how to manage a chronic disease. How to take care of their problems and avoid it from getting worse
Describe the principles of Disease management
◦Care planning- work with doctors to prepare a plan
◦Self-monitoring- patients taught how to manage signs and symptoms eg arthritis and medication
◦Allied health professionals- eg. Physiotherapists- holistic approach
◦Emergency contact- GP, specialist
◦Review- regular appts with health professionals
A friend is considering an unregulated detox tea promoted by an influencer. What advice would you give them, and why?
I would suggest checking if it is approved by the TGA and reading independent reviews. Many detox teas are unproven, may cause side effects, and often rely on marketing rather than science.
What factors influence vaccine uptake in Australia?
Factors influencing vaccine uptake in Australia include public trust in vaccines and health authorities, access to healthcare services, education and awareness about vaccine benefits, cultural and religious beliefs, misinformation and fear about vaccine safety, and government policies such as vaccination requirements for school enrollment. Socioeconomic status, geographic location, and individual health concerns also play a role in vaccination decisions.
How does social marketing use the "4 Ps" (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) to promote health behaviours?
Product: The behavior or action being promoted, such as exercising or quitting smoking.
Price: The perceived cost or barriers to adopting the behavior, such as time, money, or effort.
Place: The location or channels through which the behavior is encouraged, such as community centers or online platforms.
Promotion: The strategies used to inform, persuade, and remind the target audience, such as social media campaigns, advertisements, or events.
Evaluate the role of schools and community health programs in improving health literacy levels across different Australian populations. Use examples in your response.
Schools play a key role by teaching students how to make healthy choices and understand basic health information from a young age. For example, health education in the Australian curriculum builds lifelong skills in interpreting food labels, understanding mental health, and accessing medical services.
Community health programs help adults improve their health literacy by offering workshops, translation services, and culturally appropriate materials—especially useful in diverse or disadvantaged communities. For instance, programs run by Aboriginal Health Services tailor education to suit cultural needs, improving trust and understanding.
Imagine a patient in Australia receives a fact sheet about an upcoming medical procedure but struggles to understand it. Describe two possible outcomes that could result from this low level of health literacy.
Inability to Give Informed Consent
Explanation: Informed consent means the patient understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing to the procedure.
Complication: Without understanding the fact sheet, a person might agree to a procedure without realizing the potential side effects or consequences, which could lead to regret, distress, or even legal or ethical concerns if complications arise
2. Improper Preparation or Aftercare
Explanation: Many procedures require specific steps before or after (e.g., fasting, medication changes, wound care).
Complication: If these instructions aren’t understood or followed correctly due to low health literacy, the risk of infection, delayed healing, or complications like internal bleeding or adverse reactions can significantly increase.
Identify and explain 5 products around your house or social media that may use the media, transport, consumer confidence or cost to influence the use of health products or services.
Pharmaceutical Ads on Social Media
Social media platforms often feature advertisements for medications and health supplements that use emotional appeal, testimonials, and expert endorsements to boost consumer confidence. These ads may also highlight the convenience of online delivery, leveraging media and transport to influence purchasing decisions.
Health and Fitness Apps
Many fitness and wellness apps use media (social media influencers, fitness trainers, and advertisements) to promote their services. These apps often use free trials or discounted rates to address the cost factor, making them more appealing for users looking to improve their health affordably.
Supermarket Health Supplements
Health supplements sold in supermarkets or pharmacies often use promotional materials, both in-store and on social media, to emphasize benefits like weight loss, improved immunity, or enhanced energy. The use of transport is critical as they advertise fast delivery services to attract consumers. Cost-effective pricing or discounts also encourage purchases.
Telehealth Services
The growing trend of telehealth services uses digital media platforms to advertise ease of access and convenience, allowing users to consult with health professionals without the need to travel. The affordability of online consultations compared to in-person visits makes it an attractive option for many consumers, particularly in remote areas where transport could be a barrier.
Fitness Equipment (e.g., Treadmills, Weights)
Fitness equipment companies often advertise their products through online media channels, highlighting the convenience of home workouts. Social media influencers may promote these products, and some companies offer free delivery or discounted shipping to reduce transportation costs, making the equipment more accessible and boosting consumer confidence.
Discuss the factors that influence an individual's decision to have private health insurance in Australia.
Government Policies and Incentives: The Australian government provides incentives, such as the Private Health Insurance Rebate, which reduces premiums for those with private health insurance. Additionally, the Medicare Levy Surcharge encourages higher-income earners to take up private health insurance to avoid paying an additional surcharge on their tax.
Access to Healthcare Services: Private health insurance offers faster access to elective surgeries and treatments compared to the public system, where waiting times can be longer. This is a significant factor for individuals seeking timely healthcare services.
Cost and Affordability: The cost of private health insurance premiums can influence decisions. People with higher incomes are more likely to afford private insurance, while those with lower incomes may be deterred by the cost unless they receive government assistance or subsidies.
Healthcare Preferences and Coverage: Some individuals prefer the flexibility of choosing their own doctors, hospitals, and specialists, which private health insurance offers. Comprehensive coverage options, including dental, optical, and physiotherapy, also make private insurance appealing.
Perceived Quality of Care: Many individuals choose private health insurance due to the perceived higher quality of care and more personalized treatment available in private hospitals compared to public ones.
Age and Health Status: Younger, healthier individuals may opt out of private health insurance due to lower perceived need, while older individuals or those with chronic health conditions are more likely to take up private insurance to cover potential medical expenses.
Media and Advertising: Advertising by private health insurance providers influences public perception, with marketing campaigns often highlighting the benefits of having private cover, such as reduced waiting times and greater choice of healthcare providers.
What impact does celebrity endorsement have in social marketing campaigns for health?
Celebrity endorsements in social marketing campaigns can boost credibility, attract attention, and influence audience behavior, as people often admire and trust public figures. However, it is important that the celebrity aligns with the campaign’s values and promotes health messages that are evidence-based and ethical.