Literacy, learning and health - a social practices view of health literacu

Papen, Uta (2009) Literacy, learning and health - a social practices view of health literacu. Literacy and Numeracy Studies, Vol 16 (No 2). pp. 19-35. ISSN 1441-0559

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Abstract

In this paper, I use a social practices view of literacy to challenge dominant conceptions of health literacy. Health literacy is frequently defined as an abstract skill that can be measured through individual performance tests. The concept of health literacy as a skill neglects the contextual nature of reading and writing in health care settings. It risks ignoring the many ways in which patients access and comprehend health information, make sense of their experience and the resources they draw on. The paper presents findings from a study of forty five literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students’ health-related reading and writing practices in the north-west of England. I suggest that health literacy needs to be understood as a situated social practice and that it is a shared resource frequently achieved collectively by groups of people, for example families. I conclude with some reflections on the implications of my research for adult education practice.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Literacy and Numeracy Studies
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/p1
Subjects:
?? p philology. linguistics ??
ID Code:
27978
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
28 Oct 2009 13:21
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
26 Feb 2024 00:26