Information Provision and Health Education

Information provision

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to find, assess and understand health information and health services (Hixon, 2004; Rootman & Ronson, 2005). Health literate people are therefore able to communicate needs and preferences, integrate new information and understand the steps required to take the appropriate actions to achieve and maintain health (Canadian Health Network, 2004; Rootman & Ronson, 2005).

WCHM focuses on access to health information provision as a way of improving knowledge and understanding about the causes of health and illness and to provide health advice and support to help women in the ACT and surrounding regions to manage their own health.

Improving women’s ability to access health information will increase their capacity to make informed choices about their health-related behaviours. Empowering individuals and groups through knowledge is an important health promotion objective.

For disadvantaged or marginalised women we recognise that being unaware of information relevant to improving their health, or how to access health resources creates higher levels of disadvantage for them.

Health education

Health education involves the provision of information and education to service providers and policy makers about the issues impacting on women’s health and wellbeing. It aims to increase their understanding, motivation, skills and confidence to take action to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for women in the ACT.

Health education includes the provision of information about the social, economic and environmental conditions impacting on health, and the use of the health system – not just individual risk factors and risk behaviours.