Hardly health knowledge of the Germans

Health literacy of Germans often problematic to inadequate

07/15/2014

The knowledge of Germans about their health is characterized by significant deficits. „14.5 percent of those with statutory health insurance have poor health literacy, 45 percent have problematic skills, 33.5 percent are adequately competent, and seven percent have excellent skills“, the result of a recent study by the Scientific Institute of the AOK (WIdO).

Although most Germans are aware that obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse can lead to significant health problems, health science often does not go much further. „The first representative nationwide survey on health literacy reveals that nearly 60 percent of those insured under the law have deficits“, reports the AOK. This lack of knowledge about health could lead to health and financial harm.

Difficulties with health information
On behalf of the WIdO had „The Social Science Survey Center of the University of Duisburg-Essen by phone 2,010 legally insured persons over the age of 18 in the period from December 2013 to January 2014“ interviewed, according to the statement of the AOK. Nearly a third of those surveyed revealed deficits in health literacy. Moreover, more than a quarter of those insured stated that finding information about disease symptoms was difficult for them. „Almost a third has difficulty understanding media information“ and „Thirty-seven percent of respondents find it difficult to assess whether a second opinion should be sought or not“, the AOK continues. „That many people have difficulties finding support offers is an alarm signal“, emphasized Jürgen Graalmann, head of the AOK Federal Association.

Low health literacy a health risk
The AOK boss explained that „Well-understood and reliable information for many people is the key to making the right decisions for their health.“ Here would be the information „be understandable, user-oriented and quality-assured and above all, they must arrive at the people also“, Graalmann continues. The AOK would for this purpose, for example, navigators in the Internet for the doctor, clinic and care search offered as decision support. According to the AOK, the inadequate health literacy of the insured can lead to misconduct and an increased individual health risk. Here, other international studies have shown that „less competent people“ behave in a more risky manner, under-take offers for prevention and early detection, show less loyalty to therapy and more likely to endanger the success of the cure. This results in a higher risk of premature death and higher treatment costs, according to the AOK. „It is estimated that higher health care spending in Germany alone will amount to as much as € 15 billion“, so the message of the health insurance.

Health knowledge as educational mission
However, according to the AOK chief, improving health literacy can not be achieved by measures in the healthcare sector alone, but must be done here „especially in education health get a permanent place.“ Graalmann demanded that in the „Kita, preschool, all other branches of school and in the adult education as well as the extracurricular youth work“ more concerned with the topic. The AOK show for example with her „Program JolinchenKids, what is possible in Kitas.“ The need to catch up with Germans' health knowledge can also be seen from a study of the European Union from the years 2009 to 2011, as a result „in the EU average 47.6 percent inadequate or problematic skills“ to have, „whereas in Germany 59.5 percent are“, reports the AOK. Internationally, numerous action aids and national action plans are already available, while in Germany the topic has barely gained public awareness. (Fp)