BAppSci (Hons), BEd, Research Associate, Rural Medical Education Australia, Toowoomba, Qld.
BSc (Hons), MD, Junior House Officer, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Birtinya, Qld.
Aust J Gen Pract. 2022 Aug;51(8):621-625. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-07-21-6100.
Health literacy is a social determinant of health, with lower levels linked to suboptimal health outcomes. There is a gap in the literature regarding the value of health literacy assessment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and best methods with which to perform such assessments in general practice.
Literature was reviewed to determine what is known regarding health literacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the availability of assessment tools and the implications for general practice.
Despite its effect on health outcomes, the health literacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is poorly understood, with no validated assessment tools specifically tailored to this population. Culturally insensitive screening of health literacy has potentiality to disaffect; thus, practitioners should consider assessments aligned with Indigenous methodologies such as conversational or yarning approaches or the use of a small number of screening questions. Practitioners are encouraged to adopt a universal precautions approach and use culturally appropriate conversational styles to optimise communication and healthcare outcomes.
健康素养是健康的社会决定因素，较低的健康素养水平与较差的健康结果相关。在原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民人群中进行健康素养评估的价值以及在一般实践中进行此类评估的最佳方法方面，文献中存在差距。
综述文献，以确定关于原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民人群的健康素养、评估工具的可用性以及对一般实践的影响的知识。
尽管健康素养对健康结果有影响，但原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民人群的健康素养理解不足，没有专门针对该人群的经过验证的评估工具。对健康素养的文化不敏感筛查有可能产生负面影响；因此，从业者应考虑采用与原住民方法一致的评估方法，例如对话或交谈方法，或使用少量筛查问题。鼓励从业者采用普遍预防措施方法，并使用文化上合适的对话方式来优化沟通和医疗保健结果。
