If you struggle with understanding medical terms, managing your medication or talking with medical professionals about your health, you’re among the majority of Canadians, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. In fact, 60 per cent of adults and 88 per cent of seniors are not health literate. This means they struggle with understanding information related to their health, knowing where to go to access services, and applying health advice to their lives.

 

People who have low levels of health literacy tend to have poorer health overall, with more accidents, lower life expectancies, and increased incidences of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. They’re likely to be older, less educated, live in poverty and struggle with literacy in general. Increasing your health literacy is one of the most effective things you can do to improve your heath and the health of your family’s health. 

 

Here are five great resources to help you manage your health:

 

1. Find your nearest Community Health Centre

 

Community Health Centres serve people who don’t have a family doctor, but they can do a lot more for you than just set you up with an appointment. They can also provide you with health education and support for issues like addiction, domestic violence, mental health, parenting skills, sexual health, nutrition and other challenges.

 

2. Who can you ask?

 

Family doctors are an important part of your medical team, but they’re not the only health care providers who are equipped to help you. Nurse practitioners are qualified to do many of the things doctors do, such as ordering tests and prescribing medication. Occupational therapists help people manage their illness and live more independently. Pharmacists can help you manage your medication and advise you on over-the-counter medicine. Social workers can provide emotional support and help you access resources for managing your health and wellbeing. These are just some of the health care providers available to you.

 

3. Telehealth Ontario

 

Did you know you can speak with a registered nurse at any time, in French or English, by calling Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000? The service is free and all calls are confidential. You can ask about anything, including injuries, ongoing medical issues, how to safely take medication you’ve been prescribed, mental health concerns, food and healthy living, information about breastfeeding, etc.

 

4. Your health card

 

Canada has universal health care, which means that most services are free, but you need a valid health card to access them. This includes visits to your family doctor, walk-in clinics and hospitals, as well as services like MedsCheck, which helps your pharmacist track your medication. In Ontario, you can register for a health card at any ServiceOntario Centre.

 

5. Be your own advocate

 

Your best resource for managing your health and getting the care you need is you! You can be your own advocate by learning how to describe what you’re feeling, who to talk to, where your nearest doctor’s office, emergency room, walk-in clinic and pharmacy are, and how to apply the advice you receive safely and effectively. 

 

You can learn these and many other health literacy skills at ABCHealthMatters.ca. ABC Health Matters was developed by ABC Life Literacy Canada with support from AbbVie and McKesson Canada with the aim of empowering Canadians to manage their health more effectively by increasing their confidence when discussing and making decisions on their health. The program is delivered in communities across Southern Ontario through the University Health Network (UHN).