This chapter explores critical health literacy (CHL) as an essential yet underutilized approach to addressing health inequities. CHL moves beyond the traditional health literacy focus on individual behavior and functional skills by incorporating critical thinking, awareness of social determinants of health, and collective action. The chapter begins by situating CHL within the broader health literacy framework and highlights its theoretical roots, emphasizing empowerment and structural change. CHL equips individuals and communities to critically analyze and challenge the systemic factors that shape health outcomes, fostering agency for social and political action. Measurement tools and strategies for developing CHL are examined, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive approaches and participatory methods like deliberative inquiry. Real-world applications demonstrate CHL’s potential to address pressing public health challenges, from pandemic preparedness to climate change and youth activism against harmful commercial practices. Despite operational challenges, CHL remains a critical strategy for fostering health equity, building resilience, and enabling communities to navigate complex health landscapes. This chapter underscores the need to integrate CHL into health promotion practices and policy frameworks to address inequities at their roots.