There are many reasons why the need to address health literacy is even
more critical today than ever. There are increasing demands in society to
access health information in new ways and this can create challenges for patients
navigating the health care system. Increasing rates of chronic diseases in the
Canadian population require individuals to manage their own care more than
before. This course examines why Indigenous people have greater health
literacy needs than the general population. The course also explores how mainstream
health literacy approaches are not culturally relevant and how healthcare
practitioners can provide health information to Indigenous patients in a way
that is culturally appropriate and effective in managing chronic diseases.