Understanding Health Literacy in your Community

Why Health Messages Don’t Always Land 

Have you ever shared a health resource you thought was clear, only to find it misunderstood, ignored, or misused? It’s a common challenge in community health.  

Whether it’s a flyer, a conversation, or a referral, the way people receive and act on health information depends on more than just what we say, it depends on the health literacy of those receiving it. 

Health literacy isn’t just about reading ability. It’s about how people access, understand, and use health information to make decisions. And in diverse communities, it’s shaped by language, culture, trust, and lived experience. For health professionals and community organisations, understanding this is key to delivering support that truly connects. 

What is health literacy (and why does it matter?) 

Health literacy is defined as the ability to find, understand, and use information to make health-related decisions. It affects everything from medication use to appointment attendance, and even how people engage with prevention programs. 

From a community lens, low health literacy can lead to: 

• Missed screenings or delayed care 

• Poor chronic disease management 

• Increased hospital admissions 

• Lower engagement with health services 

In a recent ABS report, data showed that only 39% of respondents found it always easy to understand health information well enough to know what to do. That’s why clear, accessible and, inclusive health education isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. 

What Inclusive Health Education Looks Like 

Inclusive health education goes beyond plain language. It considers how people feel, what they believe, and how they prefer to learn. It’s trauma-informed, culturally safe, and designed to meet people where they are. 

Here’s what that can look like in practice: 

• Visual tools: Using diagrams, icons, and illustrations to explain concepts 
• Community-led messaging: Involve different members of the community you’re working with in service design
  
• Multiple formats: Offering information through phone calls, SMS, printed handouts, and in-person support 
• Relationship-first approach: Building trust before delivering advice 

At Better Health Company, we embed these principles into the work we do. Our programs are designed to be accessible, non-judgmental, and tailored to the needs of each participant, helping bridge the gap between information and action. 

How Better Health Company embeds health literacy in its programs 

At Better Health Company, health literacy isn’t treated as a separate issue, it’s built into the way we design and deliver every service. Across our family and adult programs, we use coaching conversations, visual tools, and plain language resources to help participants understand and act on health information confidently. 

For example, in our programs, participants are supported through coaching calls that use everyday language, relatable examples, and visual prompts to explain concepts like portion sizes, movement goals, and screen time routines. Coaches check for understanding, encourage questions, and adapt their approach based on each participant’s needs; whether that’s simplifying a message, offering alternatives, or helping people feel confident in their decisions. All health education resources use plenty of imagery and meet plain language guidelines. This approach helps bridge the gap between information and action, a core challenge in low health literacy communities. 

Building Health Literacy Together 

Health literacy is a shared responsibility. As health professionals and local organisations, we have the opportunity to shape how people understand and act on health information; not just through what we say, but how we say it. 

Key takeaways: 

• Health literacy affects every aspect of health behaviour and service use 
• Inclusive education must be visual, relational, and culturally safe 
• Better Health Company programs are designed to support this work – with coaching, tools, and messaging that meet people where they are 

To learn more about how to refer into our programs or partner with us, visit the pages below. We’re here to support you in making prevention part of everyday care.