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Table 1 A small experpt of the variety of definitions of healthy literacy

From: A dynamic approach to communication in health literacy education

“Health literacy represents the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health. Health literacy means more than being able to read pamphlets and successfully make appointments. By improving people’s access to health information and their capacity to use it effectively, health literacy is critical to empowerment” ([18], p264).

“The wide range of skills and competencies that people develop to seek out, comprehend, evaluate and use health information and concepts to make informed choices, reduce health risks and increase quality of life” ([26], p196–197).

“The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” [27].

“The capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” [1013], p795, [2730], [31, 32].

“Health literacy is the ability of patients to obtain, understand, and use medical information to benefit their health and to navigate through the health care system” [33].