Children Are The Future
The Importance of Health Literacy and Physical Literacy in the Pediatric Population
Health literacy is an important issue to consider when providing healthcare to children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, health literacy is defined as “the ability of patients and parents to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate decisions.” In a previous article, I discussed the social determinants of health in the pediatric population. Health literacy is one of those determinants.
As providers, we have high expectations for our pediatric patients and their parents to achieve effective disease management and positive health outcomes. Low health literacy affects parents' processing of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior that in turn affects their child’s health outcomes. Low literacy can influence various aspects of health like:
- Poor nutrition knowledge and behaviors
- Higher obesity rates
- More medications errors
- More emergency department visits
- Poor asthma and other chronic conditions (e.g. Type 1 diabetes) knowledge, behaviors, and outcomes
Health Literacy Starts At A Young Age
It is important that when we are having conversations related to our patient's care plan and treatment regimen, to include not only parents but the children as well. Why is it important? — Children being incorporated into these conversations help them develop “good” habits, staying physically active, and making better decisions in regards to their health. These “good” habits can be as simple as deciding to wear a helmet while riding a bike, deciding to eat healthy foods over “junk food,” or playing outside over playing video games. The positive choices can carry into adulthood, making our future world population healthy.
Health Literacy Plus Physical Literacy Equals Positive Outcomes
The U.S Departement of Health and Human Services defines physical literacy as “the ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person.”
Health literacy goes hand and hand with physical literacy. When you are physically active, you are more likely to want to be healthy. Both health literacy and physical literacy require learning certain skills and communication. Pharmacists, as well as other healthcare professionals, schools, and the community, play an integral role in the development of these literacies. As the African proverb states, “it takes a village.”
Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) is a Canadian organization that focuses on the life long health and active living of children and adolescents. They made a three-part series of illustrated videos (posted below) based on physical and health literacy in children. These are fun videos for healthcare professionals to watch and share with their pediatric patients and parents.
Conclusion
Awareness of how to be healthy with lifestyle modifications and knowing why and how to take a medication can improve outcomes for children. This knowledge can help them as they grow into adults. So, Whitney Houston was right! Children are our future and we need to teach them for any hope of one day having a healthy population.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Health Literacy and Pediatrics. Available at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/professional-resources/Research/research-resources/Pages/Health-Literacy-and-Pediatrics.aspx. Accessed April 21, 2020.
- Morrison A, Glick A, Yin S. Health Literacy: Implications for Child HealthPediatrics in Review June 2019, 40 (6) 263–277; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2018-0027.
- U.S Departement of Health and Human Services. Embrace Physical Literacy — Provide Children with the Foundation for Leading an Active Lifestyle. Available at: https://health.gov/news-archive/blog-bayw/2018/08/embrace-physical-literacy-provide-children-with-the-foundation-for-leading-an-active-lifestyle/index.html. Accessed April 21, 2020.
Thanks for reading.
Best,
Aniya Mazyck
