Health literacy refers to the ability of people to find, understand, and use information and services to make informed health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.
Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician with Mayo Clinic’s Children’s Center, explains how Mayo Clinic is leading the way to enhance health literacy for kids through engaging books to inform and inspire young people.
Developing personal health literacy is something that can begin early in life.
“We have an opportunity to be there talking with children, getting them excited about their health and empowering them to have agency over their own health and the health of their communities,” says Dr. Mattke.
These books provide accessible information on a wide range of health and science-related topics.
“I think there’s a lot of health topics that children struggle to understand — anything from immunizations to why they’re feeling sick,” says Dr. Mattke.
Understanding their disease can help them feel empowered and knowledgeable about how they can participate in their care.
