Critical health literacy in pandemics: the special case of COVID-19
Thomas Abel, David V. McQueen
Abstract
In the current COVID-19 pandemic the active participation of the public is of central importance, however, certain factors found in this new pandemic disease complicates the participation. Addressing these complications needs public health and health promotion experts to understand the role of critical health literacy in a pandemic. We present the case for a definition of critical health literacy in a pandemic, CHL-P. We suggest that CHL-P can help professionals to support individuals and communities as agents for effectively dealing with the unique features of this pandemic.
Topics & Concepts
PandemicPublic healthHealth literacyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Health promotionLiteracyPromotion (chess)Political scienceMedicinePublic relationsDiseaseNursingHealth careInfectious disease (medical specialty)PoliticsPathologyLawHealth Literacy and Information AccessibilityMisinformation and Its ImpactsVaccine Coverage and Hesitancy