Health literacy is an important concept that is increasingly being recognised internationally worldwide as a fundamental skill required in maintaining health and accessing the local healthcare system. Not recognising low health literacy can be serious and costly as Singapore's population ages and chronic disease becomes more prevalent. As there are few local studies available, this clinical review highlights the current known prevalence and problem of health literacy in other countries; the assessment tools available; and some useful lessons we can draw from published interventions. This review may be useful in promoting awareness of health literacy, generating interest in this area among clinicians and inspiring more local work into this emerging field.
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