What is the ability to obtain and understand health information termed?

Health literacy is the term that describes the ability to obtain, process, and understand health information in order to make informed health decisions. This encompasses understanding medical instructions, interpreting health-related materials, and effectively communicating with healthcare providers. Individuals with high health literacy are better equipped to navigate the healthcare system, adhere to treatment regimens, and apply health information to their lifestyle choices.

Nutritional knowledge refers specifically to an individual’s understanding of nutrition principles and dietary guidelines, which is only one aspect of health literacy. Intellectual ability pertains more to general cognitive capabilities rather than health-specific competencies. Emotional awareness deals with recognizing and understanding emotions, which, while valuable in health contexts, does not directly encompass the breadth of health information comprehension and application that health literacy includes.