October is Health Literacy Month

For more than 20 years, October has been recognized as Health Literacy Month. Libraries, as trusted sources of information, are a go-to source for the resources people need to improve their knowledge of health.

Health literacy is defined in two ways. First, personal health literacy is how well a person can find, understand, and use information and services to make decisions about their own health and the health of others. Secondly, organizational health literacy is how well organizations equitably help all people find, understand, and use information and services to make decisions about their own health and others.

Greater health literacy helps your patrons overcome barriers and challenges that may result in harm. By collectively working to improve health literacy, libraries and others can create a more equitable world where everyone can access high-quality care and achieve positive health outcomes.