Do you know that understanding well being info higher will 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 realizing extra about our well being actually issues. One necessary manner it helps is by motivating extra individuals 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 info. This may embrace with the ability to learn drugs labels, realizing tips on how to talk together with your physician, or understanding why you want a flu shot. When individuals have larger well being literacy, they’ll make higher selections for themselves and their households.
Why Are Preventive Screenings Vital?
Preventive screenings are exams that assist discover well being issues early — typically earlier than we even really feel sick. For instance, screenings can test blood sugar, blood strainor search for most cancers. Once we discover issues early, we are able to begin treating them sooner after they’re simpler to handle.
Right here’s an incredible instance. An everyday annual mammogram revealed that considered one of our IBX members had breast most cancers — whereas it was nonetheless in its earliest stage, Stage 1. Getting identified that early might have saved her life. Now she encourages her pals to maintain up with their scheduled mammograms. Tales like this present how necessary preventive screenings are.
Preventive screenings are an enormous focus of my work at IBX. I’ve seen the distinction they’ll make in individuals’s lives. That’s why I do all the things I can, in collaboration with suppliers in our space, to teach our members on why these screenings matter a lot. As an 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 energetic. In my expertise, the extra individuals know, the extra possible they’re to take the steps needed to guard their well being.
How Well being Literacy Helps Enhance Screening Charges
When individuals perceive why screenings matter, they’re extra prone to get them. Good well being literacy helps individuals know:
With out clear info, some individuals can really feel scared, confused, or unsure what to do. Or they may not absolutely perceive the danger of not getting screened. Docs 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 onerous to make well being info straightforward to know. We attempt to use plain language each time potential. And, should you’re a member of considered 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 will help extra individuals get screened and keep wholesome. Collectively, we are able to 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 assist you. For those who ever have any questions on screenings, simply ask.
