Health Literacy 101

UIC Office of Health Literacy | Posted on March 16, 2026
Health Literacy 101

Happy National Public Health Week!

Health Literacy 101: Turn the page and start a new chapter of informed health decisions.

What is Health Literacy?

According to the CDC, it’s the ability to…

  • Find
  • Understand
  • Use

…information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.

Bonus Tip: Organizations play a role, too. They can equitably enable individuals’ health literacy to help themselves and others.

Online Health Information

4 in 5 people search online for health information. Yet, only 1 in 5 students cafn identify trustworthy sources.

Bonus Tip: Ask before you trust.

  • Is it up to date?
  • Is the author qualified?
  • Is it evidence-based?
  • Are they teaching or selling?
  • Is the site .gov, .org or .edu?
  • Do other sources agree?

Know Before You Go: Health Care Appointment Checklist

Before:

  • List any questions and concerns
  • Be prepared to take notes
  • Consider bringing someone for support
  • Bring your health records and medication list
  • Arrive 15 minutes early

During:

  • Make a clear plan with your provider
  • Repeat to confirm understanding
  • Request notes from your visit

After:

  • Track health information in a patient portal
  • Rely on trusted health sources
  • Ask provider if you have questions

Reading Prescription Labels

  • Drug Name: Check it’s the correct medicine (brand or generic)
  • Directions: Follow instructions for how much to take and how often
  • Warning: Review side effects and special instructions
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). What Is Health Literacy? https://www.cdc.gov/health-literacy/php/about/index.html
  2. Dissen, A., Qadiri, Q., & Middleton, C. J. (2021). I read it online: Understanding how undergraduate students assess the accuracy of online sources of health information. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 16(5), 641–654. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827621990574
  3. UChicago Library. (2025). Evaluating Resources and Misinformation: CRAAP Test. https://guides.lib.uchicago.edu/c.php?g=1241077&p=9082343
  4. Consumer MedSafety. (n.d.). Anatomy of a Prescription Label. https://www.consumermedsafety.org/safety-tips/learn-to-read-a-prescription-label
  5. University of Illinois Chicago. (n.d.). About the Office of Health Literacy. https://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/chicago-research/centers/office-of-health-literacy/about-us/
Modified on March 23, 2026