Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Overview 1
• Learning Objectives 1
Philippines Framework
-Limiting Factors 6
-Educational Paradigms
1. Explore the concept of health literacy in the 21st century by examining its definition,
components, and relevance to the well-being of individuals within the K-12
educational context.
2. Identify and analyze examples of health literacy within the K-12 curriculum,
illustrating how these instances contribute to fostering a comprehensive understanding
of health-related information and skills.
3. Investigate strategies and methods to enhance health literacy in K-12 education,
considering diverse approaches, resources, and technologies to effectively improve
students' ability to access, understand, and apply health information for lifelong well-
being.
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literacy not only fosters health equity but also empowers children and adolescents to actively
engage in and contribute to society.
The cultivation of health literacy commences early in childhood, with schools serving
as a primary and promising environment for its development. It is essential to recognize that
health literacy extends beyond individual competencies and behaviors; it encompasses a
structural approach that addresses system-level factors and conditions. In essence, fostering
health literacy in educational settings is not only an investment in personal development but
also a strategic initiative to navigate the complexities of health information in the broader
societal context.
The Global Health and Education series 2023 is a webinar that was conducted in
collaboration with the Schools for Health in Europe Network Foundation (SHE), it aims to
explore the role of health literacy within the school context and the broader educational
sector. It is endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), an agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting peace through
international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.
In a webinar series, among the four variables which is as a curriculum subject, as a
cross cutting issue, both as a curriculum subject, as a cross cutting issue and neither. The
participants highest vote or answers was both as a curriculum subject.
Figure 1: Do you address health literacy in schools as a curriculum subject or as a
cross cutting issue?
The webinar seeks to address the question of whether health literacy in schools should
be approached as a dedicated curriculum subject or as a cross-cutting issue. According to
participant responses in the series, the majority favored the perspective of addressing health
literacy both as a curriculum subject and as a cross-cutting issue.
Figure 2: Do you address health literacy in one or more of the following domains?
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Additionally, the webinar delves into the domains in which health literacy is
addressed. Among the three domains—school staff, school environment, and the wider school
community (including parents and external stakeholders)—the wider school community
received the highest response as the domain in which health literacy is predominantly
addressed.
ACCESS
Health information across three
domains of health continuum:
UNDERSTANDING
APPLY
Disease Prevention, emphasizing the importance of proactive health measures; and Health
Promotion, encouraging a holistic approach to well-being.
In essence, health literacy in the Philippine context is a dynamic and evolving
concept, intertwining with the cultural, social, and geographical intricacies of the nation. It
serves as a cornerstone for building a healthier, informed, and empowered populace, capable
of actively participating in their own health journey and contributing to the broader health
landscape of the Philippines.
equitable access to information, and fostering a culture of health literacy that empowers
individuals across all segments of society.
Based on the research of Briones (2020), these are the challenging factors that the Filipino’s
encounter in terms in a low adult income:
Limiting Factors
ü Low competencies of the population for engaging with health information.
ü Lack of proper information about health care.
ü Limited number of Practitioners and Facilities.
ü Poor geographic distribution of doctors and nurses.
ü High out of pocket cost for patients.
ü Barriers to health service access.
ü Access to health care system.
Examples of Health Literacy
Health literacy is crucial for making informed decisions about one's well-
being. For instance, understanding nutritional labels empowers individuals to choose
foods aligned with their health goals. Additionally, being able to comprehend medical
instructions ensures proper adherence to prescribed treatments, contributing to overall
wellness. Moreover, navigating healthcare information online enables individuals to
distinguish reliable sources from misinformation, promoting proactive and informed
healthcare decisions. In essence, health literacy equips people with the knowledge and
skills to actively engage in maintaining and improving their health.
1. Reading Medication Labels: An individual with high health literacy can
easily read and understand medication labels, including dosage
instructions and potential side effects.
2. Understanding Nutrition Labels: They can interpret nutrition labels on
food products, making informed choices about their diet based on
information about calories, nutrients, and serving sizes.
3. Navigating Healthcare Websites: They can effectively search and find
reliable health information online, distinguishing between reputable
sources and misinformation.
4. Participating in Informed Consent: They can engage in informed
discussions with healthcare providers, understanding the risks and benefits
of medical procedures and treatments before making decisions.
5. Managing Chronic Conditions: Individuals with high health literacy can
manage chronic illnesses by understanding their condition, adhering to
treatment plans, and recognizing warning signs.
6. Preventive Health: They can make informed choices about preventive
measures like vaccinations, screenings, and lifestyle changes based on
their understanding of health recommendations.
7. Health Literacy Campaigns: Health literacy is also about creating
materials and campaigns that are easy to understand. Effective health
literacy initiatives use plain language, simple visuals, and accessible
formats.
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HEALTH LITERACY
COMMUNICATIVE/INT
ERACTIVE HEALTH
LITERACY
Functional health literacy refers to basic reading and writing skills related to health
information. Critical health literacy involves the ability to analyze and understand health
information critically, evaluating its credibility and relevance. Communicative/interactive
health literacy focuses on the skills needed to actively engage with healthcare providers, ask
questions, and participate in decision-making about one's health.
In conclusion, understanding health literacy in the 21st century involves exploring its
definition, recognizing its importance in education and specific contexts like the Philippines,
examining real-life examples, and implementing strategies to enhance it. The comprehensive
overview of various types of health literacy provides a comparative analysis, offering
valuable insights into functional, critical, and communicative/interactive dimensions. This
multifaceted approach contributes to a more holistic understanding and underscores the
importance of promoting diverse aspects of health literacy for informed and empowered
communities.
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of health literacy skills for different groups. Quality education and life-long learning are
instrumental in the process.
K-12 Health Education Curriculum
The main purpose of K-12 health education curriculum is to provide students with
comprehensive knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to make informed decisions about
their health and well-being. This includes promoting a holistic understanding of physical,
mental, and social aspects of health, fostering healthy behaviors, and equipping students with
the tools to navigate and address health-related challenges throughout their lives. The
curriculum aims to empower students to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles, make
responsible choices, and contribute to the overall well-being of themselves and their
communities. The 2012 Contemporary Health Education Curriculum is a planned, sequential,
K-12 curriculum that addresses the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of
health. The curriculum is designed to motivate and assist students to maintain and improve
their health, prevent disease, and reduce health-related risk behaviors. It allows students to
develop and demonstrate increasingly sophisticated health-related knowledge, attitudes,
skills, and practices.
In every health education lesson, it is crucial to impart five key points that collectively
contribute to fostering a comprehensive understanding of well-being. First and foremost,
students should be taught the intrinsic value of making healthy choices, emphasizing the
positive impact such decisions have on their overall health. Equally important is educating
them about the consequences associated with poor health choices, instilling an awareness of
potential risks. Additionally, students should learn where to access valid and reliable health
information, promoting informed decision-making. Encouraging the setting of high health
goals is another vital aspect, empowering students to aspire to and maintain optimal well-
being. Finally, the curriculum should equip students with the skills to advocate for not only
their own health but also that of others, fostering a sense of responsibility for community
well-being. By addressing these key points, health education becomes a holistic and
empowering experience, preparing students for a lifetime of informed and proactive health
choices.
Five Key Points to Include in Every Health Education Lesson
1. Teach students the value of making healthy choices.
2. Teach students the consequences of making poor health choices.
3. Teach students where to search for valid health information.
4. Teach students to set high health goals for themselves.
5. Teach students to advocate for the health of themselves and others.
With the K – 12 Health Curriculum, a learner should be able to achieve, sustain, and promote
life-long and wellness.
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Injury Prevention, Safety and First Aid: Discusses the causes, costs, and
prevention of accidents and injuries while performing various activities at home, in
school or in the community. Prevention can be done through the promotion of safe
environments, the development of safety programs, procedures and services, which
includes first aid education and disaster preparedness programs.
Family Health: Covers information on the human life cycle and on family
dynamics that influence an individual’s development of ideals, values and standards
of behavior regarding sexuality and responsible parenthood.
Personal Health: Comprises personal health habits and practices that promote
physical, mental, social, emotional, and moral-spiritual health and prevent or manage
personal health issues and concerns.
Substance Use and Abuse: Highlights the prevention and control of the use,
misuse, and abuse of substances and drugs by providing comprehensive information
on the nature of abused substances, the negative impact of substance abuse on the
individual, family and society in general; and the importance of learning and using
resistance skills to protect oneself from drug risk-taking behaviors.
Health and Life skills-based: Applies life skills to specific health choices and
behaviors.
Holistic: Analyzes the interrelationship among the factors that influence the
health status, the areas of health, and the dimensions of health (physical, mental,
social, emotional, moral and spiritual).
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The K-12 health education framework emphasizes the goal of achieving, sustaining,
and promoting lifelong wellness. This means fostering a comprehensive understanding of
health that goes beyond mere absence of illness, encouraging individuals to adopt and
maintain healthy behaviors throughout their lives.
The framework aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to
make informed decisions about their well-being and actively engage in practices that support
long-term health.
Alignment with Health Literacy To Ensure healthy lives and promote well-
being for all
“SDG 3 aspires to ensure health and well-being for all, including a bold commitment
to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other communicable diseases by
2030. It also aims to achieve universal health coverage and provide access to safe and
effective medicines and vaccines for all”.
Since the creation of the Millennium Development Goals, there have been historic
achievements in reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and tackling HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases. In 15 years, the number of people newly infected by
HIV each year has dropped from 3.1 million to 2 million and over 6.2 million lives were
saved from malaria. Since 1990, maternal mortality fell by 45 percent, and worldwide there
has been an over 50 percent decline in preventable child deaths globally.
Acknowledging the interconnected nature of health and development, the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) present an ambitious and holistic strategy encompassing people,
planet, and prosperity. Within this framework, the objective of advancing health and well-
being stands as one of the 17 Global Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. The SDGs recognize the need for an integrated approach to effectively address
the complexities and inter-dependencies across various goals. By emphasizing the interplay
between health and broader development issues, the SDGs aim to eradicate the underlying
injustices that contribute to sub-optimal health and development outcomes on a global scale.
This holistic perspective underscores the importance of viewing health within the broader
context of sustainable and equitable development.
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References
families and its association with cancer screening utilization: A cross-sectional study .
Brown, P. Q., & Jones, R. S. (2020). Improving health literacy. Journal of Health Education
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7068467/?fbclid=IwAR1DW86K1y
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Goal 3: Good health and well-being. (n.d.). Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being | Joint SDG
good-health-and-well being
https://lincs.ed.gov/sites/default/files/TSTMHealthLiteracyBrief-
508.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0nAIjfqUBPXSYe_qfjqKHJoqjMh78TGyK39p2fWRQiwsMn
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Nutbeam, D. (2019). Health education and health promotion revisited. Health Educ. 78:705–
UNESCO Chair Global Health & Education. (2021, January 11). Health Literacy: An
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Vamos S., Yeung P. (2016). Development of a core online health literacy course in Canada.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7068467/
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Assessment
4. How does health literacy contribute to preventive health, as exemplified in the scenario of
a person informed about the flu vaccine?
A. Encourages avoiding preventive measures
B. Discourages reviewing vaccine information
C. Empowers to make informed choices
D. Promotes neglecting potential side effects
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10. Which type of health literacy focuses on interpersonal communication skills related to
health?
a) Functional Health Literacy
b) Interactive Health Literacy
c) Critical Health Literacy
11. How does functional health literacy impact an individual’s ability to understand health
information?
a) It enables individuals to analyze health disparities
b) It involves basic reading and writing skills for understanding health information
c) It focuses on interpersonal communication skills
12. Health literacy is important to healthcare professionals because of all the following
EXCEPT:
A. When low literacy individuals finally seek our help, they are usually much sicker than
normal Literacy individuals.
B. Individuals with low literacy are more likely to sue.
C. Individuals with low literacy have annual healthcare costs that are four times higher than
for those with higher literacy levels.
13. Health literacy is the ability to read, understand and act on health information to make
informed decisions.
A. True
B. False
15. The following are grouped characteristics of a K-12 Health Curriculum, except for some,
which among the choices corresponds to the incorrect set of K-12 Health Curriculum
characteristics?
A. I and IV
B. II and III
C. I and III
D. II and IV
16. With the K-12 Health Curriculum, a learner should be able to do the following for
lifelong and wellness, EXCEPT one.
A. Appreciate
B. Achieve
C. Sustain
D. Promote
17. Which among the choices is NOT included in the 9 strands of a Health Curriculum?
A. Nutrition and Fitness
B. Mental Health
C. Dental Health
D. Human Growth and Development
18. Question: What is the primary goal of the 2012 Contemporary Health Education
Curriculum?
A) Enhancing academic performance
B) Fostering artistic expression
C) Addressing physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions of health
D) Promoting environmental sustainability
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19. Why is health literacy considered a critical 21st-century competence for children and
adolescents?
A. To enhance artistic skills
B. To navigate digitalized health information
C. To master ancient languages
D. To improve mathematical abilities
Answer Key
1.C
2.C
3.B
4.C
5.C
6.B
7.C
8.B
9.D
10.B
11.B
12.B
13.A
14.A
15.B
16.A
17.C
18.C
19.B
20.B
Prepared by:
Roy Anam-Anam
Jonathan Arroz
Reynaldo Dela Cruz
Eljin Pacilan
Clarisse Guarino
Maryrose Malijoc
Rina Mae Mahusay
Judy Mae Pardo-ano
Joey Mae Patiño
Ma. Victoria Treyes
Rena Tupas
Chaila Villaluz
Prepared to:
Dr. Randyll V. Villones