It’s time for a little “wokeness” in health literacy

 

This week, there’s a very triggering conversation I’m following on a popular health literacy discussion list. 

People are talking about how best to refer to “people with low health literacy.” 

Take your pick – there are posts from all sides

“Low” is too judgmental.

How about “restricted”?

Why not “needs help reading”?

“Inadequate” …

One of my problems with calling anyone or any group “limited” or “low” or “inadequate’ or even “adequate”  is that they all assume a few things I don’t hold dear.  

Are you sure….

1.  that the “standards” used for judging who is and who is not “limited” are standards based on the best known science and theory – can we really say this about the TOFHLA and New Vital Signs?

2.  that the standards are not set from an elitist, privileged perspective – dare I say that everyone judging limited or low health literacy fits into this category, including me. 

3.  that the “labelling” of someone does not in some way stygmatize them  – would you like to be labeled that way

4.  that we, good people one and all, are not perpetuating a dominant culture model that needs us to broaden the lens through which we look at one’s understanding of health / science and requires of us a dose of mutual respect and  humility.   

For myself, I’ve answered these questions, and I come up lacking. 

So says a woman living in the time huge social change, still learning.