News > Health literacy
Supporting health literacy through medicines management
14 May 2010
News > Health literacy
The Pharmaceutical Public Health Team in Wales has produced a report drawing together examples of work from across Wales which support health literacy, particularly in relation to medicines management.
The term ‘health literacy’ is used to describe the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health.
The examples described in the report include supporting self-care, maximising patient benefit from prescribed medicines, reducing medicines waste, and providing training and education for health care professionals.
It is not intended to be an exhaustive account of health literacy initiatives but to show the breadth of activities that are being undertaken proactively throughout Wales.
Health literacy is at the core of pharmacists’ day-to-day work, both in primary and secondary care. Pharmacists make an important contribution to supporting patients’ self-care, helping patients to maximise the benefit from prescribed medication and acquire the skills and knowledge to successfully navigate NHS services.
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- Accessibility and usability
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- Evaluating the quality of health information
- Evidence for health information
- Health literacy
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