Health literacy and the social view of health
From biomedical to social
Health literacy and the social view of health are linked concepts. Health literacy is the capacity to obtain, interpret and use health information to make decisions and take action. It has functional (basic reading and comprehension), interactive (applying information in changing situations and with others) and critical (analysing and acting on broader determinants) dimensions. The social view of health holds that health is a resource for everyday life, shaped by social, economic, cultural and environmental conditions, not merely the absence of disease. It aligns with the Ottawa Charter and emphasises empowerment, equity and action on determinants.
Traps
A common mistake is treating health literacy as general literacy or as a fixed personal trait. Another is assuming that giving people information automatically changes behaviour. Questions may also conflate the social view with individual responsibility; the social view directs attention to structures, access and power, not just choices. Watch for answers that describe equity as giving everyone the same thing; equity means allocating support according to need.
Worked example
A clinic translates diabetes information into plain language but does not address cost, transport or cultural safety. Functional literacy may improve, but interactive and critical health literacy are not developed, and the social conditions shaping care remain unchanged. A stronger response combines accessible information with affordable access, community consultation and supportive policy.
Rule of thumb: ask who is enabled, by what, and under what constraints.