Health Literacy Among Young Adults (Essay Sample)

Health Literacy among Young Adults
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Health Literacy among Young Adults
Introduction
Health literacy refers to the ability to the ability to obtain, process, and understand health information necessary for making sound decisions concerning health and illness (Rempel, 2013). It entails an understanding of the functioning of the human body, cognizance of patient rights and responsibilities, the ability to read health texts, capacity to interpret the benefits and risks of basic medical procedures, and knowledge of preventable and chronic illnesses. Health literacy is essential in young adulthood because many health-related behaviors including risky practices such as smoking and unsafe sexual activity are established in this stage. Moreover, the health education acquired during one’s youth provides the foundation for healthy adulthood. This paper lays an insight into health literacy among young adults with a specific focus on the health awareness of college students with regard to information sources, privacy concerns arising from the relationship between adolescents, and healthcare providers, and prioritization of health systems.
Health Literacy among Young Adults
Young adults have unique needs and preferences regarding health information. Developmental changes, vulnerability to social-demographic determinants of health, and epidemiological differences are some of the factors that call for the youth to be contrasted with the general adult population when it comes to health awareness (Rempel, 2013). As they transition into adulthood, adolescents become independent. They live on their own for the first time and exposed to many new health risks. Such risks come from shared spaces within the school environment, exposure to drugs and alcohol, and the stress of living away from home. Thus, they require information about a range of health topics, including depression and stress management, eating disorders, sex education, and physical activity. Health literacy is paramount for these young adults to adjust their attitudes and behaviors in favor of a healthier lifestyle.
For young people to understand health information, they require reading, science, and numeracy skills. These competencies enable them to not only scrutinize materials, but also establish connections between information from different sources, decipher scientific methods, and follow medical instructions. However, according to the Alliance for Excellent Education, more than one-third of students in the eighth grade cannot read at a proficient level despite their demonstrated familiarity with computer and internet usage. Illiteracy can inhibit their ability to comprehend the information they find on physical and online health resources. Additionally, health education among young adults is widely perceived as individual-based. Becoming health literate calls for a personal endeavor to acquire a combination of various health-related skills, knowledge, and competencies, and motivation. Adolescents and young people can be considered health literate once they recognize how to achieve health and well-being through the acquisition of specific cognitive and behavioral attributes such as emotional stability, healthy nutritional habits, and personal hygiene.
To increase health awareness among adolescents and college students, educators, health professionals, and policymakers should make information more accessible by setting guidelines about information design and access. Youths should be provided with the materials, experiences, opportunities, and relationships needed to become thriving, competent health-literate adults.
Health Information Sources
There are multiple sources available to young people seeking health information including families, health professionals, schools, organized activities out of school such as workshops and conferences, electronic media such as television, and the internet. However, evidence shows that the internet is the primary source of information for most adolescents. It provides searches, links, and gateways to resources about health care, preventive services, and chronic illnesses. The youth can find useful information online about specific health issues affecting them, such as drug use, sex, weight loss, and mental health. The internet is attractive to teens because it offers attractive features of customization, different multimedia formats, and interactivity. Moreover, they can also set up virtual support groups without adult supervision where they can discuss topics they consider embarrassing or which might make their parents suspicious.
Although physicians would be a valuable source of health information, young people do not appear to communicate with medical practitioners. This is due to barriers to communication and also because they perceive clinicians as adults who they are afraid or uncomfortable to share information about potential health risks. Additionally, schools and colleges offer a suitable environment for the youth to acquire health literacy. In addition to health issues discussed as part of curricula, educational fora are a crucial source of health information.
Adolescent and Health Care Providers’ Relationship Privacy Concerns
The concerns about the potential lack of privacy and confidentiality between young people and health care providers acts as a barrier to seeking health information. Many adolescents fear that if they ask or reveal certain information about their health, the physician will share with their parents. Such information includes reproductive health issues, drug and substance abuse treatment, or mental health matters. To overcome the privacy barrier to promote health literacy among the youth, healthcare professionals have a respon