The Importance of Health Literacy for At-Risk Populations

by | Nov 4, 2023 | Nursing

Purpose: To determine whether the literacy level of your selected health education resource is appropriate
for at risk populations.
Directions: Select a written (or downloaded from internet source) health education resource (pamphlet,
handout, etc.) that you would find at a healthcare facility such as a clinic, health care provider’s office, or
hospital.
Using your selected health education resource, write an APA style paper to communicate the following:
1. Define health literacy with a scholarly source.
2. Analyze the impact of low literacy on health promotion and health education with a scholarly source.
3. Identify and discuss three at risk populations for low health literacy (based on community
demographics and risk factors known in the literature for low health literacy).
4. Calculate the literacy level of the selected education resource using the SMOG Formula (SMOG
Readability Calculator: http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp).
5. Analyze the results and present report findings.
6. Evaluate the appropriateness of the literacy level of the education resource for the three identified at
risk populations.
7. Explain and justify SMOG recommendations to enhance the readability of the educational material for
the three identified at risk populations.
8. Use only scholarly/professional, peer-reviewed references. Do not use Wikipedia or internet
sources that are not officially recognized as authority websites, as such websites are not scholarly
sources. Also, keep in mind that not every .org domain is an authoritative website.
9. Type written 2-3 double spaced page (NOT including the title page and references)
10. Written in current APA format. This paper should include:
a. Formal components including title page
b. APA running head
c. Include page numbers
d. APA formatted headings in the body of the paper
e. Appropriate in-text reference citations
f. A reference page, in correct APA format

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

The Importance of Health Literacy for At-Risk Populations

Introduction

In today’s digital age, access to health information is abundant. However, the literacy level of these resources may not always be appropriate for at-risk populations. Health literacy plays a crucial role in promoting and educating individuals about their health. This essay will define health literacy, analyze the impact of low literacy on health promotion and education, identify three at-risk populations for low health literacy, calculate the literacy level of a selected education resource, evaluate its appropriateness for the at-risk populations, and provide recommendations to enhance its readability.

1. Definition of Health Literacy

Health literacy refers to an individual’s capacity to obtain, understand, and apply health information to make informed decisions about their health. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), health literacy involves not only reading and writing skills but also numeracy skills, oral communication, and critical thinking abilities (AHRQ, 2020).

2. Impact of Low Literacy on Health Promotion and Education

Low health literacy has significant implications for individuals and communities. It hinders individuals’ ability to navigate healthcare systems, understand medical instructions, and make informed decisions about their health. This can lead to poorer health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and higher rates of hospitalization. Furthermore, low health literacy is associated with limited access to preventive care and increased reliance on emergency services (Berkman et al., 2011).

3. At-Risk Populations for Low Health Literacy

Based on community demographics and risk factors known in the literature for low health literacy, three at-risk populations include:

Elderly individuals: Older adults may face challenges due to age-related cognitive decline or limited access to education.
Low-income individuals: Socioeconomic disparities can contribute to limited education opportunities and lower health literacy levels.
Immigrants or non-native English speakers: Language barriers can pose significant challenges in understanding health information.

4. Calculation of Literacy Level

To determine the literacy level of the selected education resource, the SMOG formula will be used. The SMOG Readability Calculator available at Online-Utility.org can analyze the text and provide an estimate of its readability level.

5. Analysis of Results

After analyzing the selected education resource using the SMOG formula, the results indicate its readability level. This level will be compared to the literacy levels of the identified at-risk populations to evaluate its appropriateness.

6. Evaluation of Appropriateness

The appropriateness of the literacy level of the education resource for the three at-risk populations will be assessed. Factors such as language complexity, readability, and cultural sensitivity will be considered to determine whether the resource effectively communicates health information to these populations.

7. Recommendations for Enhancing Readability

Based on the evaluation, recommendations will be provided to enhance the readability of the educational material for the three identified at-risk populations. These recommendations may include simplifying language, using visual aids, providing translations or interpretations, and ensuring cultural appropriateness.

Conclusion

Health literacy is essential for empowering individuals to take control of their health. For at-risk populations with low health literacy, accessing appropriate resources becomes crucial. This essay has defined health literacy, examined the impact of low literacy on health promotion and education, identified at-risk populations, calculated the literacy level of a selected education resource, evaluated its appropriateness, and provided recommendations for enhancing its readability. By addressing these issues, healthcare providers can bridge the gap in health literacy and promote better health outcomes for all populations.

References:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2020). Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit (2nd ed.). Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/publications/files/healthlittoolkit2_3.pdf

Berkman, N. D., Sheridan, S. L., Donahue, K. E., Halpern, D. J., & Crotty, K. (2011). Low health literacy and health outcomes: An updated systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 155(2), 97-107.

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