Do you know that understanding well being data higher can assist us lead more healthy lives? As a Inhabitants Well being Specialist at Independence Blue Cross (IBX), I see each day how a lot understanding extra about our well being actually issues. One necessary approach it helps is by motivating extra folks to maintain up with their preventive carelike getting screenings, annual checkupsand vaccinations.
What Is Well being Literacy?
Well being literacy means with the ability to discover, perceive, and use well being data. This may embrace with the ability to learn drugs labels, understanding talk along with your physician, or understanding why you want a flu shot. When folks have higher well being literacy, they will make higher decisions for themselves and their households.
Why Are Preventive Screenings Necessary?
Preventive screenings are checks that assist discover well being issues early — typically earlier than we even really feel sick. For instance, screenings can verify blood sugar, blood stressor search for most cancers. After we discover issues early, we are able to begin treating them sooner after they’re simpler to handle.
Right here’s an amazing instance. A daily annual mammogram revealed that certainly one of our IBX members had breast most cancers — whereas it was nonetheless in its earliest stage, Stage 1. Getting recognized that early could have saved her life. Now she encourages her associates to maintain up with their scheduled mammograms. Tales like this present how necessary preventive screenings are.
Preventive screenings are a giant focus of my work at IBX. I’ve seen the distinction they will make in folks’s lives. That’s why I do every part I can, in collaboration with suppliers in our space, to coach our members on why these screenings matter a lot. For example, we work collectively to assist members perceive why they need to nonetheless get cervical most cancers screenings even after menopause and when they’re not sexually lively. In my expertise, the extra folks know, the extra doubtless they’re to take the steps crucial to guard their well being.
How Well being Literacy Helps Enhance Screening Charges
When folks perceive why screenings matter, they’re extra prone to get them. Good well being literacy helps folks know:
With out clear data, some folks can really feel scared, confused, or unsure what to do. Or they may not absolutely perceive the danger of not getting screened. Medical doctors and nurses play an necessary position in explaining issues in easy phrases and answering all their sufferers’ questions.
What Can We All Do to Assist Enhance Well being Literacy?
At IBX, we work arduous to make well being data straightforward to know. We attempt to use plain language at any time when attainable. And, should you’re a member of certainly one of our insurance coverage, we’re at all times right here to assist reply your questions.
You are able to do your half, too! Listed here are some straightforward methods:
Let’s Work Collectively
Higher well being begins with higher understanding. By studying extra and sharing what we all know, we can assist extra folks get screened and keep wholesome. Collectively, we are able to enhance well being literacy and screening charges in our group!
And keep in mind, your physician and IBX are at all times right here to assist you. Should you ever have any questions on screenings, simply ask.
