Final answer:
A person who lacks health literacy finds it hard to obtain and understand valid health information, which is crucial for making informed health decisions. Improving health literacy can lead to better personal and public health outcomes, as well as contribute to more accurate health surveys and research data.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person who lacks health literacy finds it difficult to obtain, understand, and use valid health information. Health literacy is essential for making informed decisions about health and healthcare. Without adequate health literacy, individuals may struggle with understanding medical terms, following treatment plans, or recognizing the significance of certain health information, such as understanding a friend who suffers from a prolonged medical problem.
Society benefits from individuals who are well-informed about health issues, as they can make better decisions regarding their own health and contribute to discussions about healthcare policies, like the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid.
Unfortunately, there are still challenges in access to health education, especially in low-income countries or among groups with less exposure to medical knowledge. This lack of access can lead to disparities in health outcomes and can be exacerbated by other factors like racial and socioeconomic status.
Moreover, some may be uninformed about health topics which can impact the results of health surveys or polls as seen when participants lack the necessary background to respond accurately to health-related questions.
Improving health literacy could help reduce these issues by allowing people to make more informed decisions that lead to better health outcomes. Additionally, having a population that is well-versed in health matters ensures that health inequities are addressed and that health education is tailored to the cultural specifics of diverse populations.