Conceptualizing health literacy in this way, by recognizing
the goal of empowerment through the development
of interactive and critical health literacy skills, has important
implications for the scope of the content of health
education and communication. It follows that health
education to improve people’s knowledge, understanding
and capacity to act, should not only be directed at changing
personal lifestyle or improving compliance with prescribed
disease management strategies. Health education could
also raise awareness of the social determinants of health,
and be directed towards the promotion of actions which
may lead to modification of these determinants. Even in
relation to patient education, educational content may be
broadened to include genuine options for the selfmanagement
of disease, the development of skills that
enable confident interactions with health care providers, and the ability to navigate or negotiate effectively in the
health care system.