Ways in which literacy may affect health

Low literacy may affect people’s health both directly and indirectly.

Direct effects

• People may have difficulty following the doctor’s or nurse’s instructions.

• People may make mistakes when taking their medicine or when giving it to other members of their family.

• People may be unable to read safety or warning notices, resulting in accidents or injuries to themselves or others.

Indirect effects

• People with low literacy skills may feel ashamed and have low selfesteem. This may lead to stress and health problems.

• People may find it difficult to find or keep a job.

• They may have a poorly paid job, or live on a fixed income, like Income Support. That may result in poverty.

• People who are poorly paid or live in poverty may suffer from stress.

• People may be unable to read information that will let them make healthy choices.