Health Literacy Month highlights the importance of finding trustworthy health information

Health Literacy Month highlights the importance of finding trustworthy health information

Health information is easier to access than ever before, but finding information that is accurate, reliable and relevant remains a challenge. During Health Literacy Month, health care professionals are encouraging people to carefully evaluate the sources they use and to have informed conversations with their medical providers before making health decisions.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 9 out of 10 adults struggle with health literacy at times, including understanding and using everyday health information when it contains unfamiliar or complex terms.

Health literacy refers to a person's ability to find, understand and use health information to make decisions about their care. Dr. Ridhwi Mukerji, MD, FACP, CHCQM, Aspirus Regional Medical Director for Primary Care in the Central Region, said strong health literacy helps patients and families become active participants in their health care journey.

"Health literacy is about finding and using information correctly for your health care," said Dr. Ridhwi Mukerji. "It helps people make informed decisions, and that is important not only for patients, but also for the families and providers who support them."

The growth of online content, social media and artificial intelligence tools has created new opportunities for people to learn about medical conditions, treatments and preventive care. At the same time, misinformation and unverified claims can lead people to delay care, stop recommended treatments or make decisions based on inaccurate information.

"Patients should pay attention to who is providing the information, what the information is about and where it comes from," Dr. Ridhwi Mukerji said. "Credible organizations, professional medical societies, academic medical centers, the CDC and the National Institutes of Health are good places to start. It's important to be cautious of sources that may have commercial interests or make sensational claims."

Dr. Ridhwi Mukerji noted that AI tools can help explain medical terminology and help patients prepare questions before appointments, but they should not replace conversations with qualified health care professionals because information generated by AI may be incomplete or incorrect.

Patients who take time to learn about their conditions from trusted sources are often better prepared to discuss treatment options, preventive screenings and personal health goals with their providers. These conversations can help ensure care decisions are based on evidence and tailored to individual needs.

As Health Literacy Month is observed across the country, health care leaders encourage patients to ask questions, seek clarification when needed and use credible information to guide discussions about their health.

For more information about health care services, providers, locations and patient resources available through Aspirus Health, visitaspirus.org.

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