What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy relates to the skills and ability people have to access, understand and use health information to make informed decisions about their health care.

Health literacy also relates to the ability people have to find their way around the health system.

People with low health literacy are three times more likely to have poorer health outcomes.

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) Consumer Health Information and Communication Committee will review, provide feedback and endorse local health district publication material from a health consumer, carer or community perspective.

The committee supports WNSWLHD to meet the requirements of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standard 2, Partnering with Consumers.

We are inviting expressions of interest from consumers, carers and community members to join the WNSWLHD Consumer Health Information and Communication Committee.

The committee will meet monthly via microsoft teams with some pre-reading required. You will be remunerated for your time in line with NSW Health Guidelines.

Health Literacy Week 21st - 25th October 2024

Each year the month of October is used to shine a light on health literacy; to raise awareness of the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health system easier to navigate.

In 2024, the theme for Health Literacy Week was "What matters to you". Webinars were held during the week and included:

• What matters to you? Health Literacy Week Launch
• What matters to you - Medications?
• What matters to people with disability?
• What matters to families and carers of people with lived experience of mental illness?
• What matters to you- Yarning?