Health literacy, culture, and community

This chapter explores the relationship between health literacy, culture and community. The notion of community with regard to health literacy focuses on groups within the population that identify themselves as having common culture, values, and/or needs and share a commitment to meeting them. The health literacy challenges of specific groups within communities (e.g., older adults, migrants, immigrants, and cultures in transition from traditional to western societies) are reviewed and discussed. The implications of virtual communities on health literacy are raised. Among these groups, navigating and making decisions related to the health system are emphasized. Examples of health literacy interventions among specific cultures in communities through literature review and case studies from the United Kingdom and Israel are presented. Gaps in present research are noted, particularly with regard to effectiveness of interventions; directions for future research and participatory action in the community are proposed.