Better Health Starts with Understanding
Health literacy helps you find, understand, and use information to make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
Health Literacy Patient & Family Toolkit
Grow your parenting toolkit with expert health advice and tips from CHOC experts delivered monthly.
What is Health Literacy?
Health literacy means knowing how to find, understand, and use health information. This helps you make the best decisions about your health.
Why is health literacy important?
Health literacy is important because it helps people to:
- Understand Health Information
- Make Healthy Choices
- Know How to Get the Care They Need
- Understand Care Instructions
- Spot Problems Early
- Stay Safe
It also saves money, makes care fairer for everyone, and gives people the confidence to ask questions to make the best decisions for themselves.
Who Needs Health Literacy?
Everyone does! Health literacy isn’t just for people who speak another language or didn’t go to college. Even people who read well and understand numbers can have a hard time with health information, especially when they feel worried, scared, or confused.
Next time you’re at the doctor, don’t be afraid to ask your health team to “Say it simply!”
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
It’s okay to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Try asking:
Know Your Rights
At Rady Children’s Health, you have rights to help you feel safe and cared for. These include:
- Being treated with kindness and respect.
- Getting care that respects your culture and beliefs.
- Asking questions and getting clear answers.
- Getting help in your language.
- Keeping your health information private.
- Knowing who is helping you and what your care will cost.
- Speaking up if something doesn’t feel right.
- You can ask for help or share concerns if you need to.
Learn more about your rights
Health Information You Can Use
The KidsHealth CHOC website is a great place to learn about health. It has special pages so everyone can understand health information easily:
Practical parenting, health, and wellness information.
Videos, games and information about health just for kids
Answers and advice about health, emotions and life
Helpful Resources
A cozy place with books, games, and helpful information for families. Located on the 2nd floor of the Bill Holmes Tower (next to Turtle Talk) or 2nd floor of the Southwest Tower.
Need health information in another language? Ask your doctor or nurse for a trained interpreter.
Plain-Language Resources for Every Family
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by medical terms. The CHOC Health Blog gives you plain-language articles on mental health, colds and fevers, vaccines, nutrition, and safety. You’ll also find printable handouts on ADHD, anxiety, depression, bullying, grief, and more—so you can make confident choices for your family.
Feeling Stressed?
Doctor visits can make you feel nervous. That’s normal! Take a moment to relax with our calming videos.
*Disclaimer: Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego have united under a combined nonprofit parent organization called Rady Children’s Health to transform pediatric care, research and innovation. This page may include links to both CHOC and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego websites.