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Low Health Literacy in Developing Countries

Low Health Literacy in Developing Countries
While developing countries often face pressing issues such as inadequate health care, a less obvious but equally threatening problem is low health literacy rates. In comparison to developed nations, health literacy rates in developing nations are significantly low. However, if society as a whole works to educate and empower individuals to make better choices regarding their health, low health literacy, also known as the “silent killer,” will see a drastic reduction. Here is some information about low health literacy in developing countries.

Defining Health Literacy

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health literacy as an individual’s ability to adequately comprehend health information and to implement this knowledge into their everyday life in order to “maintain or improve quality of life.” An individual with lower health literacy is more likely to make questionable health choices and is less likely to take preventative action against manageable diseases.

Limited health literacy also correlates with unhealthy lifestyle choices, increased hospitalization rates and higher mortality rates. These impacts make it clear to understand how inadequate health literacy serves as a “silent killer,” especially within developing nations where these rates are prominently low.

The Situation in Developing Countries

Low health literacy rates link to inadequate education systems and health systems because these structures hold the responsibility of relaying health information to the general public. Thus, nations that lack these proper systems are more likely to have insufficient health education levels.

A survey of adult citizens in Isfahan, Iran, indicates that almost 80% of respondents did not have sufficient health literacy. Most of the respondents with inadequate health literacy were females with “low financial status” and limited education. This data suggests that an overwhelming number of individuals in developing nations lack satisfactory health education, particularly women. The reason for this is likely issues of gender equality — women lack access to education, essential services and employment opportunities. Furthermore, poverty disproportionately impacts women all over the world.

Taking Action

There are several ways to improve health literacy rates, and therefore, improve global health. It is crucial to educate the population on their health and to empower them to effectively manage their well-being. Several interventions have proven effective. In South Africa, providing individuals with informative yet easy-to-read pamphlets that include graphics is improving health education in the country. Meanwhile, in China, findings determined that “periodic training of health educators is essential for improving health knowledge” among the general public.

Media is yet another way to improve health education. In Uganda, “more than one in three used the internet to search for health information.” In Iran, secondary school students cited television as their most helpful source of information on HIV/AIDS. In Israel, “a model of Media Health Literacy (MHL)” showed potential in improving health literacy among younger citizens.

Across Asia, the Asian Health Literacy Association (AHLA) works to understand and improve health literacy rates. This organization aims to raise awareness of this issue “among researchers, officials, healthcare organizations as well as experts in health and education, corporations and media” in order to formulate effective interventions to improve these rates in Asia. AHLA sees this as an essential  part of improving the quality of healthcare “and reducing health disparities between communities, groups and nations.” Ultimately, the AHLA aims to improve global health, starting with Asia.

Moving Forward

Increasing health literacy rates in developing countries is an effective way to improve global health and eliminate inequalities. Through education programs, improved communication and dedicated organizations,  these rates can improve. By educating individuals on matters of health, people all over the world can live an improved quality of life.

– River Simpson
Photo: Flickr

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The Effects of HIV/AIDS in Israel

HIV/AIDS in Israel
With the marvels of medical technology, medical professionals can now cure most infections and diseases with a combination of treatments and pharmaceutical drugs. However, it is challenging for them to treat some viruses still. Amongst the stubborn viruses that still elude the medical communities’ ability is the HIV/AIDS virus, a diagnosis that for too many means the end of living a normal life. The effects of HIV/AIDS in Israel have been profound and COVID-19 may worsen the situation.

The Effects of HIV/AIDS in Israel

Following the first case of AIDS in the 1980s, the world bore witness to an epidemic that swept the globe in an unprecedented manner. From 1981 to 2010, Israel reported nearly 10,000 cases, with around 7,000 of them still ongoing in the country. People living with HIV/AIDS in Israel fall into some of the most vulnerable groups in society. This includes injecting drug users and immigrants. Israeli immigrants, often from countries like Sudan, China and Eritrea, often face obstacles receiving treatment for AIDS. While testing is free, the pathway to HIV/AIDs drugs remains expensive and out of reach for many. This creates a socioeconomic divide on who has access to treatment and who does not. According to a report by the Israeli Task Force, many immigrants are unaware of their access to free testing.

COVID-19 Compounding Consequences

Since the beginning, nation-states have strived to mitigate the effects of the HIV/AIDS virus on their populations. Communities most at risk often face marginalization and are disproportionately at risk of poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic has halted services to help these groups. This has caused many to fall into poverty. The Health Ministry of Israel worries that poverty and food and housing insecurity will rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the Health Ministry of Israel is collaborating with other government sectors to create and strengthen initiatives to fight HIV/AIDS. For example, needle exchange programs, homeless shelters and meals all function as efforts to combat the effects of HIV/AIDS in Israel. Health officials in these programs are now essential as the government prepares for a rise in cases.

The Good News

As a result, Israel is taking steps in the right direction to fight HIV/AIDS. Within society, a conservative outlook on sex and the religious practice of circumcision keep the numbers relatively low. In addition regional cooperation inside of Israel with IGOs like the UN and WHO have made workshops and collaboration with Israeli NGOs and the Jerusalem AIDS Project. Israeli researchers are some of the world’s foremost pioneers and drivers of HIV/AIDS vaccine research and in 2019 introduced a ‘mosaic’ vaccine that identifies and responds to more variant strains of the HIV virus. Though HIV/AIDS is still a prevalent issue, Israel is making great strides in combating the virus.

– Alex Pinamang
Photo: Flickr