A new project to improve health literacy in Mount Isa was launched on Thursday with the aim of getting people more knowledgeable about their health.
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Dominic Sandilands of North West Remote Health launched the project with the support of Mount Isa City Council and local health agencies to lift the standard of health literacy in the city.
Mr Sandilands said health literacy was an essential life skill that helped people promote and maintain good health throughout life.
“Health literacy is essential for maintaining good health and improving quality of life,” Mr Sandilands said.
He quoted a 2006 study which showed only 41 percent of Australian adults had adequate or better health literacy skills and while Australia has good health outcomes the Mount Isa area (North West Queensland) standard was lower than average.
As a result North West Remote Health has launched the Health Literacy Promotion (HeLP) initiative to improve health literacy in the community.
Mr Sandilands said the objectives of the HeLP initiative were to improve community access to health information and education through library and community events, and also to increase consumption of fruit and vegetables and to reduce intake of energy-dense, nutrient-poor food and drink by influencing behaviour of younger people.
The project began with a survey of over 150 people which provides a baseline health measure.
Mr Sandilands said a health literacy section and information corner would be established in the library.
“This will serve books that contribute to improving health literacy of adults, youths and children while the information corner will provide info about health services and how to access them,” he said.
Mr Sandilands said the project would deliver health information and education sessions.
“Regular health information and education sessions will be delivered at the library and at community groups such as men’s sheds, youth groups, Lions Clubs etc,” he said.