Health literacy has been defined, conceptualized, and perceived in multiple ways across the fields of health, medicine, and education in the era of globalization. As language and literacy educators and healthcare providers, this chapter addresses the multiplicity of health literacy and situated the discussion of this concept within cultural and sociohistorical contexts in both migrant and nonmigrant settings. The aim is to develop a culturally and linguistically inclusive, responsive, and holistic approach that reflects the entanglement of the globalized world. Specifically, this chapter is divided into three sections: (1) health literacy and culture defined, explaining what health literacy is and its importance in health maintenance and promotion in diverse cultural contexts; (2) the interdependence between health literacy and adult literacy, discussing how adult literacy is intertwined with health literacy and their mutual influences; and (3) cultural impact on health literacy in both migrant and nonmigrant contexts, highlighting how cultural differences construct and influence health literacy practices in migrant and nonmigrant populations with a focus on the significance of culturally responsive health education and communication.

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Health Literacy and Culture

  • Xia Chao,
  • Jennifer B. Kang,
  • Hao Wang,
  • Persis Naumann

摘要

Health literacy has been defined, conceptualized, and perceived in multiple ways across the fields of health, medicine, and education in the era of globalization. As language and literacy educators and healthcare providers, this chapter addresses the multiplicity of health literacy and situated the discussion of this concept within cultural and sociohistorical contexts in both migrant and nonmigrant settings. The aim is to develop a culturally and linguistically inclusive, responsive, and holistic approach that reflects the entanglement of the globalized world. Specifically, this chapter is divided into three sections: (1) health literacy and culture defined, explaining what health literacy is and its importance in health maintenance and promotion in diverse cultural contexts; (2) the interdependence between health literacy and adult literacy, discussing how adult literacy is intertwined with health literacy and their mutual influences; and (3) cultural impact on health literacy in both migrant and nonmigrant contexts, highlighting how cultural differences construct and influence health literacy practices in migrant and nonmigrant populations with a focus on the significance of culturally responsive health education and communication.