What does personal health literacy refer to?

Personal health literacy refers to an individual's capability to find, understand, and use health information effectively. This encompasses the skills necessary to navigate the complex healthcare environment, including understanding medical terms, interpreting health-related information, and applying that knowledge to make informed health decisions.

With high personal health literacy, individuals can engage actively in their health management and make choices that support their well-being. This includes seeking appropriate care, adhering to treatment plans, and making lifestyle changes based on relevant health information.

While the other options involve important aspects of health and healthcare, they do not capture the comprehensive scope of personal health literacy. Access to health services is a part of navigating healthcare but does not encompass the understanding and application of health information. Knowledge of community resources and awareness of healthcare policies are also valuable, yet they are more about external resources and frameworks rather than an individual's capacity to interpret and utilize health information for personal decisions.