Final answer:
Access to healthcare means the availability of medical services and an individual's capacity to utilize them, with cost, insurance, and geography being major barriers. Health literacy is the understanding necessary to make sound health decisions, and improving it, along with equitable healthcare policies, is crucial for better access.
Step-by-step explanation:
Access to healthcare means having the means, such as coverage, services, and a network of health care providers, to obtain health services when needed. Barriers to adequate healthcare often include high costs, lack of insurance, and geographical barriers, which can affect a person's ability to receive proper medical care and treatments. To be health literate is to have the ability to understand basic health information and services necessary for making appropriate health decisions. Improving health literacy and healthcare access involves educating communities on health practices and ensuring healthcare systems are responsive and equitable to the needs of diverse populations.