To Read or Not To Read: Health Literacy Matters

2025 Library and Information Week theme is "To Read or Not to Read: Health Literacy Matters." The district wide library service is emphasising the importance of creating a health-literate environment for our consumers, partnering with HNELHD Clinical Governance, NSW Health's Statewide Health Literacy Hub and the Sydney Health Literacy Lab (SHLL).

Health literacy encompasses more than just understanding health information; it includes the ability to find, comprehend, and use this information to make informed health decisions. In Australia, 60% of people have low health literacy. By improving health literacy through partnerships with patients, families, and caregivers, we can help reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes. This concept is closely linked to the NSQHS Standard 2, Partnering with Consumers with which focuses on engaging consumers in health service governance and decision-making.

Discover the Health Literacy Speciality Guide