Barriers to Family Health Literacy

Family Health Assessment

The family interviewed (“Z”) has a traditional family structure—one dad, one mom, five children, ages 2 to 9. They are racial white, American, middle-class, Catholic, and living in a typical American suburb, somewhat older (their house was built in 1959). The overall health behaviors of the family are essentially good: the wife/mother is responsible for evening meals—she cooks using organic ingredients and focuses on protein and healthy fats, but uses a lot of butter and cream in foods, which may put a strain on the family’s livers eventually; the parents try to limit sugars (no soda, sweet treats on occasion but not in great abundance). The dad is having some elimination issues at night, frequent urination, which he has self-diagnosed as a swollen prostate issue, and he takes saw palmetto for it (a homeopathic remedy). He does not want to see a doctor as he does not trust the health care establishment. Three areas in which heath barriers to health are identifiable are: the father’s reluctance to seek care for his prostate, the mother’s focus on high-fat content foods. Also, exercise for the children is apparent, but the mother and father do not get much in the way of physical activity.

The family’s health strengths are that they are aware of the importance of avoiding too much sugar, as it can be a factor in diabetes. They are also aware of the importance of exercise for the children. These are two good strengths. However, there are some barriers—such as the dad’s attitude towards health care overall (he distrusts the industry), the mother’s acceptance of high-fat foods, and the lack of exercise for the parents (the kids get play, but the parents do not seem to get any physical exercise except on occasion with the kids).

Family systems theory posits that families are organized into hierarchical units, with each member playing a specific role in the functioning of the family (Fitzgerald et al., 2020). This theory can be applied to solicit changes in family members that, in turn, initiate positive changes to the overall family functions over time. For example, if a family member is not fulfilling their role within the family, it can disrupt the entire family system. By soliciting changes from that individual family member, it is possible to improve the functioning of the entire family. Additionally, as families go through different life stages (e.g., birth of a child, death of a family member, divorce), the roles within the family system may need to be adjusted in order for the family to continue functioning in a healthy way. Therefore, by understanding and applying family systems theory, it is possible to create lasting positive changes within families. For the Z family, the theory would apply in terms of increasing health literacy for the adults, which would then impact the children.

Health literacy is important for families as it helps to overcome health barriers by way of education (Vamos et al., 2020). Health literacy is the ability to read, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions about one\\\\\\\'s health. Health literacy includes both the ability to understand health information and the ability to use that information to make decisions about one\\\\\\\'s health. Health literacy is important for families because it allows them to navigate the healthcare system and make informed decisions about their health. Low health literacy can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. When families have low health literacy, they are less likely to understand important health information, such as how to prevent disease or how to access care. As a result, they may not be able to make informed decisions about their health, which can lead to poorer health outcomes. Additionally, low health literacy can lead to higher healthcare costs (Morrison et al., 2019).

Families with low health literacy are more likely to use emergency services, since they may not be able to access primary care or preventative services. That may not be the case for the Z family, as the dad does not trust the health care establishment and is more likely to not seek care than to seek it. This may be the result of some bias that could be addressed through education. Families with low health literacy overall are more likely to experience multiple hospitalizations and re-admissions. Improving family health literacy can help improve family health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. There are many ways to improve family health literacy, such as providing patient education materials in plain language or partnering with community organizations to provide resources and support. Health care providers can also play a role in improving family health literacy by assessing patients\\\\\\\' needs and providing targeted interventions. By taking steps to improve family health literacy, we can help families achieve better health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs (Vamos et al., 2020).