Relationship between Health and Education

Relationship between wellness and EducationLachlan Donnet-Jones health flush Where People Live and WorkThe World wellness disposal (WHO) originally proposed a definition for wellness literacy that was later adapted by Nutbeam (1998) as the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to pip access to, understand and use information in ways which farm and maintain good wellness. Health literacy is essential in wellness business concern, as it allows individuals to access available wellness services and actively get into in the decisions and instruction of their wellness and well-being (Institute of Medicine, 2004).In recent age there has been an increase in chronic illness largely associated with an senescence population. This is placing immense pressure on wellness systems throughout Australia (Department of Health and Ageing, 2012). Addressing the barriers to modify health literacy in elderly adults would lead to wear hea lth and upbeat outcomes, while simultaneously reducing the aim of dependence on the health c be system. The health professional plays an important utilization in assisting old patients to develop a greater understanding of their specific health conditions, and therefore, allowing senior(a) people to take an active role in the management of their health conditions.Health literacy is more than possessing the ability to read and write, it encompasses an active role in accessing available health care services, self-care of chronic conditions and maintaining an adequate aim of common health and wellbeing (Institute of Medicine, 2004). According to the Australian dominance of Statistics (ABS) report on social trends (2009), 59% of Australian adults adjudge inadequate health literacy levels, and this think is even higher in the Tasmanian population (63%). This essentially path that the majority of people, even those with university degrees or higher education, fail to understand staple health information, much(prenominal) as, safe drug and alcohol use, sickness prevention, initiatory aid and sustainable wellbeing (Australian pectus of Statistics, 2009).Poor health literacy affects patients in various(a) ways including inability to accurately remember information provided by health professionals, less knowledge of the nonpluss of ill-health, less likely to use health services designed to prevent and detect conditions (e.g. outhousecer screening, childhood health assessments and immunisations), and are more dependent on healthcare providers (e.g. hospitals and emergency services) (Australian representation of Statistics, 2009). Numerous tests have been developed to determine an individuals level of health literacy, such as, the Newest Vital Sign (NVS), a nutrition pock based test that takes slightly three minutes to complete. Other normal indications of poor health literacy are avoiding paperwork, using appearance to identify medications earlier than labels, and a reluctance to complete forms.Health literacy is an essential component of primary(a) Health Care (PHC). PHC aims to promote health, develop communities, act as an counsellor for health services, provide rehabilitation, prevent illness, and care for the sick. (Australian simple Health Care Research Institute, 2006). Health literacy stool be ameliorate by implementing various PHC strategies that are concentrated on addressing the social determinants of health, such as, social support, unemployment, wee life and the social gradient (Wilkinson and Marmot, 2003). These strategies are chargeed on the dish oution of health literacy skills and educating those in need, for example, free access to general practitioners (GP) and better health education in early schooling, are crucial programs in achieving improved education and health literacy outcomes.The relationship between education and good health is well established in the literature and is documented in a wid e variety of research articles (Black, 1980). Education leads to improved general and health literacy, which creates a greater chance of better health and wellbeing in an individual. However, it is important to none that, as Nutbeam (2000) explains, while an individual may have access to education and possess high general and health literacy levels, this does not guarantee better health outcomes. Older adults in the Australian population are among those with the highest rates of chronic illness and lowest rates of health literacy, therefore, improving health literacy is essential to better manage chronic illnesses (Australian federal agency of Statistics, 2007-08).Older adults are among the most dependant on the health care system with some of the lowest levels of health literacy. This is due to a shape of barriers including, education and literacy training, the technicality and complexity of health information, and the natural ageing process (Centre for Disease Control and bar, 2011). The discipline Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) engraft that 80% of older adults had difficulty using documents, such as, forms or charts (NAAL, 2006). Poor health literacy in the older adult population can seriously come in with the day-to-day care of chronic illnesses, such as, ischaemic titty unsoundness, which is the booster cable chronic illness and cause of death in the Australian older adult population (Australian Institute of Health and public assistance, 2008).Ischemic heart disease (IHD), or coronary thrombosis heart disease, is the most common form of heart disease and cause of heart attacks (Mount Sinai Hospital, 2014). IHD is caused by plaque build-up on the walls of coronary arteries, narrowing them and restricting ancestry flow to the heart (Dorling, 2009). In Australia, approximately 10,000 people die from heart disease each year (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007-08). IHD is a generally preventable disease. There is no single cause of IHD, th ere is however, numerous bring factors that increase the insecurity of developing the disease (Heart Foundation, 2011). The first step, and perhaps the most fundamental, in preventing IHD in older adults, is educating individuals on the risk factors relevant to them.The Australian Heart Foundation (2011) provides a list of two varieties of risk factors, modifiable and non-modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors include age, ethnic gameground, family register of heart disease. The modifiable (preventable) risk factors include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and lack of social support/social closing off (Heart Foundation, 2011). Health literacy is crucial in the management of IHD, as aforementioned, the majority of contributing risk factors are dependent on the lifestyle choices of the individual, meaning that with the serious motivation and knowledge, the disease can, for the most part, be prevented.Improving health literacy is the accountability of the individual, the community, the government, and the health professional. The health professional has a direct and significant role in improving health literacy as they are the primary stock for information, education and have the greatest level of patient contact. During interviews with older adults conducted in a study by the Department of Health and Ageing (2012), it was found that post hospitalisation patients were largely left confused with only their possess resources to cope with the challenges of their condition. The patient needs to be provided with the resources, education and support necessary to provide a foundation for building health literacy, leading to better self-management and improved patient outcomes (Department of Health and Ageing, 2012).Supporting development of behaviour change, implementing a patient-centred approach, providing patients with positive reinforcement and creating an environment that allows for progression and con structive change, are among the responsibilities of the health professional (Institute of Medicine, 2004). The patients responsibilities are to engage in treatment plans, follow self-management instructions and cooperate with health professionals in the best interest of their health and wellbeing (Nutbeam, 2000).Improving communication is fundamental to increasing health literacy. Health professionals can improve communication by using methods, such as, the talk back technique, which is when the health professional asks the patient to repeat the information provided, back to the health professional, demonstrating their understanding (Stein-Parbury, 2013). Using various physical materials to visualise information, such as, charts, graphs, and instructions, is some other useful method to improving communication of information and increasing the patients level of understanding (Stein-Parbury, 2013). Using effective communication methods and techniques, the health professional can emp ower the patient to access the necessary resources and become active in managing their own health needs (Nutbeam, 2000). This is exceedingly important in the management of IHD, as patient decisions are crucial in reducing the risk factors contributing to the disease.In conclusion, health literacy is fundamental to providing effective health care. Patients, health professionals, communities and governments all play an important role in health literacy, whether it be empowering patients or funding educational programs. A rising quantity of testify supports the importance of communication in professional health care. Some groups are predisposed by social determinants to have poor health literacy levels, such as the elderly. Elderly patients suffer greatly from preventable illnesses, such as, ischemic heart disease. It is therefore, understandable that it is necessary to provide comprehensive education and focus resources on improving health literacy in all communities.ReferencesAustra lian Bureau of Statistics, Social Trends 4102.0 (2009). easy athttp//www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ load/0011/101117/poh_fact_sheet_DHHS_health_literacy_20120630.pdf Accessed 20 May. 2014.Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001).4364.0 bailiwick Health Survey unofficial of Results, 2007-08 3464.0 National Health Survey summary of results, 2001. gettable atAustralian Bureau of Statistics (www.abs.gov.au)Accessed 23 May. 2014.Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2008). Australias health 2008. Cat. no. AUS 99.Canberra AIHW. Available at http//www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442453674 Accessed 26 May, 2014Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) (2006). ADGP Primary Health 42. 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