Do you know that understanding well being data higher may also help us lead more healthy lives? As a Inhabitants Well being Specialist at Independence Blue Cross (IBX), I see every single day how a lot figuring out extra about our well being actually issues. One necessary means it helps is by motivating extra individuals to maintain up with their preventive care, like getting screenings, annual checkups, and vaccinations.
What Is Well being Literacy?
Well being literacy means having the ability to discover, perceive, and use well being data. This will embody having the ability to learn drugs labels, figuring out how one can talk along with your physician, or understanding why you want a flu shot. When individuals have higher well being literacy, they will make higher decisions for themselves and their households.
Why Are Preventive Screenings Essential?
Preventive screenings are exams that assist discover well being issues early — typically earlier than we even really feel sick. For instance, screenings can examine blood sugar, blood strain, or search for most cancers. Once we discover issues early, we will begin treating them sooner once they’re simpler to handle.
Right here’s an ideal instance. A daily annual mammogram revealed that one in every of our IBX members had breast most cancers — whereas it was nonetheless in its earliest stage, Stage 1. Getting identified that early could have saved her life. Now she encourages her buddies 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 individuals’s lives. That’s why I do the whole lot I can, in collaboration with suppliers in our space, to teach 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 now not sexually lively. In my expertise, the extra individuals know, the extra possible they’re to take the steps mandatory to guard their well being.
How Well being Literacy Helps Enhance Screening Charges
When individuals perceive why screenings matter, they’re extra more likely to get them. Good well being literacy helps individuals know:
With out clear data, some individuals can really feel scared, confused, or unsure what to do. Or they won’t absolutely perceive the chance 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 laborious to make well being data straightforward to grasp. We attempt to use plain language each time doable. And, in the event you’re a member of one in every 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 below 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 may also help extra individuals get screened and keep wholesome. Collectively, we will enhance well being literacy and screening charges in our neighborhood!
And keep in mind, your physician and IBX are at all times right here to help you. When you ever have any questions on screenings, simply ask.