Health Literacy: A Key to Better Healthcare 

Early in my nursing career, I noticed a recurring theme: when patients arrived at the hospital—whether by choice or circumstance—or strolled into a provider’s office, they rarely pushed back or asked questions. It was almost like they had entered a parallel universe where “the doctor knows best” was the law of the land. I’d often hear things like, “Okay, doctor, you know best,” or, “Whatever you recommend.”

Now, don’t get me wrong—we pay professionals for their expertise. I, for one, don’t question the plumber when they tell me my pipes are older than my grandmother. But even then, I pause and think: Do I really need the diamond-encrusted showerhead upgrade?

The same should apply to healthcare. Yet, when it comes to our health, many of us accept a single opinion as gospel. This isn’t about doubting the credentials of the person in the white coat (although, hey, a quick Google search of their reviews doesn’t hurt). It’s about asking the right questions, like:

• Are these my only options?
• What’s the risk?
• What’s the benefit?
• Will this fix mean I can actually climb stairs without sounding like a wheezing accordion?

Taking a pause to weigh your options can make all the difference. Of course, I’m not suggesting you take a timeout during an emergency. If your leg is bent in a way that would make a yoga instructor wince or you’re bleeding like you just starred in a low-budget action movie, it’s probably not the time to ask, “Hmm, but what are the long-term implications of this surgery?” That’s when you trust the experts and maybe save the Googling for later.

Health Literacy: What Is It Anyway?

Health literacy is defined by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH). It’s all about being able to find, understand, and use health information and services to maintain and promote good health. Think of it as the user manual for your body—except, unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a warranty or a tech support hotline.

The NIH takes it a step further with “organizational health literacy,” which is a fancy way of saying: How well do organizations help you understand and use their services without needing a PhD in paperwork or a decoder ring for their websites?

Here’s a question for you: Are you using your workplace healthcare benefits? If your answer is “What benefits?” or “I’ve been meaning to look into that,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. We’ll dive deeper into this in the future, but spoiler alert: those benefits are there to help you.

By the Numbers (Brace Yourself)

The stats are enough to make anyone sit up and pay attention: Only 1 in 10 English-speaking adults in the U.S. has proficient health literacy skills. That means most of us are winging it when it comes to navigating our healthcare system.

The cost of low health literacy? A jaw-dropping $236 billion per year. That’s not just a big number; it’s a really big problem. We’re talking about the cost of medical errors, miscommunication, unnecessary illnesses, lost wages, and even avoidable disability.

Why This Matters (And Why We’re Here)

Here’s the bottom line: understanding healthcare saves lives. Knowing how to take your medication correctly, advocate for yourself (or that overly stubborn family member), and access services like a pharmacy, clinic, or hospital isn’t just important—it’s life-changing.

At Doin Well, we’re here to make health literacy less intimidating and way more accessible. Whether it’s through resources, videos, or workshops, we’ll help you:

• Ask the right questions (and not just “Will this make me feel better immediately?”).
• Understand your options (because there’s usually more than one).
• Find the care you need (no GPS mishaps required).

Life’s complicated, but your healthcare doesn’t have to be. Let’s figure it out together.