Understanding Health Literacy During COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Susana Silva, Helena Machado, Ilaria Galasso, Bettina M Zimmermann, Carlo Botrugno
Primary Institution: Institute for Social Sciences, University of Minho, Portugal
Hypothesis
How do social networks and relationships support health literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Conclusion
Health literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic is a complex social construct influenced by emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses across individuals and communities.
Supporting Evidence
- Health literacy was framed as a key public health strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Participants reported relying on family and friends for health information.
- Three narratives emerged: stabilization, hybridization, and disruption regarding health literacy.
Takeaway
This study shows that people learned about health during COVID-19 not just by themselves but by talking to friends and family, which helped them understand important information.
Methodology
The study used 89 semi-structured interviews conducted in Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland to explore health literacy experiences during the pandemic.
Potential Biases
The study may not fully represent lower-income or less-educated populations.
Limitations
The sample is biased towards individuals with higher education and income, and each author analyzed only parts of the data due to language and affordability constraints.
Participant Demographics
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Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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