What is the difference between medical literacy and health literacy?

Medical literacy and health literacy are related but distinct concepts:

Medical Literacy: Medical literacy refers to an individual’s ability to understand and use medical information, specifically within the context of healthcare settings. It involves the comprehension of medical terminology, understanding medical instructions, interpreting health-related documents (such as medical forms or prescriptions), and navigating healthcare systems. Medical literacy focuses on the skills needed to effectively communicate and interact with healthcare providers and institutions.
Health Literacy: Health literacy, on the other hand, encompasses a broader scope and refers to an individual’s ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services to make informed decisions related to their health. It goes beyond medical information and includes knowledge about health conditions, preventive measures, healthy lifestyles, and understanding the social determinants of health. Health literacy involves the skills needed to make appropriate health-related decisions and engage in health-promoting behaviors.

While medical literacy focuses more on the specific language and communication used in medical settings, health literacy addresses a wider range of health-related knowledge and skills that are applicable to everyday life. Both medical literacy and health literacy are important for individuals to effectively navigate and manage their health and healthcare, and they are interrelated in ensuring informed decision-making and improved health outcomes.

Efforts are made by healthcare professionals, institutions, and public health organizations to improve both medical literacy and health literacy among individuals, recognizing the importance of clear communication, accessible information, and patient empowerment in promoting better health outcomes.

At MedULingo, the distinction we make is as follows:

Medical Literacy: the ability to use the language of a medical practitioner

Health Literacy: the ability to use health information to make health decisions

When we define medical and health literacy in this way, we can consider that it may be possible to have differences in skill in medical and health literacy. One could have high medical literacy and low health literacy or vice versa. Whether one should work on increasing medical literacy or health literacy depends on one’s situation and goals.

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