Health Literacy: A Key to Reaching Youth in Substance Use Prevention

Oct 29, 2024

October is Health Literacy Month! For the past 25 years, this month has been a time to highlight the importance of making health information easy to find, understand, and use.

Most of the buzz around health literacy is geared toward health care providers and other health professionals—with the goal of helping them make information and systems easier to understand for patients. But health literacy has something for everyone, including those of us focused on preventing substance use among kids and teens.

Why is health literacy an important part of the prevention conversation—and what can we learn from it?

Reach Young People Where They Are

parents sitting on a couch, affectionately smiling with teen daughterIt isn’t always easy getting prevention efforts off the ground. Health literacy helps us take the first step by encouraging us to meet young people where they are when it comes to substance use. Kids and teens will come at this topic from different angles and perspectives based on what they’ve experienced at school and home, so it’s important to consider that from the jump.

older female caregiver, holding a mobile phone, sitting on the floor of bedroom with teen daughter who is using a laptopHealth literacy also reminds us how important it is to use language that young people relate to and can understand. A common misconception is that this means “dumbing down” what we’re saying to our audiences—but using plain language helps everyone understand better, no matter their literacy level. And using language that young people use means they’ll be more engaged with what you’re telling them.

When youth are brought into the conversation in a way that meets them where they are, prevention efforts are bound to be more successful.

Put Health Literacy Principles Into Practice

We know health literacy is important. But how can we apply it in our daily interactions with youth? Parents and caregivers can:

  • Open up the conversation: Ask the young person what they’ve heard and what’s on their mind about substance use. Approach the topic with curiosity and avoid seeming judgmental about what they share—while also being honest and authentic about your thoughts and opinions.
  • Help kids know the difference between good and bad information: Young people hear a lot from their friends and on social media about drugs and alcohol. You can empower them by teaching them how to identify trustworthy sources, whether online or at school.
  • Focus on the facts: When discussing the risks of using substances (like vapes, drugs, or alcohol), frame the conversation around the impacts on their health—and be honest about the consequences without being doom and gloom. Adolescents roll their eyes at the scare tactic approach.
Schools and community organizations can:

  • Share info that’s easy-to-understand—and engaging, too: Whether it’s flyers on a bulletin board or an announcement during assembly, try to avoid jargon and get students’ attention.
  • Make health literacy fun! Consider starting a school-wide competition around a health habit, like Walktober. Or challenge students to find examples of false information in social media.
  • Get feedback from students: Ask kids and teens about what information they need and aren’t getting—and how you can help fill the gap around substance use communication. If you create materials to distribute, try having a few young people take a look to make sure it’s relatable and helpful for them.

Health literacy has a lot to teach us about communicating with the people we want to reach—so make sure to keep learning about it throughout the whole year!

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