Answered By: Shazia Arif
Last Updated: 06 Mar, 2026     Views: 13

What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy refers to the ability to access, understand, appraise and use information and services in ways that promote and maintain good health and wellbeing. 

In an age where health information, misinformation and disinformation is abundant, particularly on social media, it is crucial to evaluate sources critically.

Check out the links below for more information.

Read:

World Health Organization: Health Literacy 

NHS: Health Information & Health Literacy Toolkit

Patient Information Forum: Finding Trusted Health Information

Health Literacy for Schools

 

The Patient Information Forum has some really good videos on what to look out for to avoid misinformation and disinformation.

Watch:

Patient Information Forum: Watch out for health misinformation

 

Test yourself:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed a series of quizzes which demonstrate what misinformation is, its effects, and how to begin identifying it.

World Health Organisation: What is misinformation?

 

Brunel Library

Check out the resources below:

Search results for health literacy resources