Health literacy can have a major impact on a patient's health. This is because if the patient is unable to understand the information provided to them by the healthcare professional, they will not be able to make fully informed decisions regarding their health. When a healthcare provider communicates information to a patient, they must take a step back and evaluate how the patient understands the information they are providing. This essay addresses two main topics. The first is what health literacy is and how an individual's knowledge can influence how they view and approach their health. The second is about strategies a nurse can use to provide better outcomes for themselves and their patients when it comes to health literacy. A personal reflection is included, examining how this student found preparing and leading a food safety teaching session in a classroom in a health literacy context. Health has many different definitions, one of which is the World Health Organization definition of health. “It is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not simply the absence of disease or infirmity” (Brown & Edwards, 2012). When treating patients with medical conditions, nurses today must look at the patient holistically. This includes the whole person, including the environmental and socioeconomic determinants that influence their health, not just the presenting condition. Literacy implies having the cognitive and social skills necessary to actively participate not only in the workplace but also in other areas of society. Having the ability to understand any information, whether written or verbal, gives people the ability to understand the knowledge they have, ach...... middle of paper ......cy-in-nz.pdfMinistry of Health . (2010). Korero Marama Health Literacy and Maori Results from the 2006 Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey. Retrieved from the Ministry of Health: http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/korero-marama- health-literacy-and-maori-results-2006-adult-literacy-and-life-skills-surveyNew Zealand Nurses Organization . (2011). Call to action – Health literacy policies and practices for nurses. Retrieved from New Zealand Nurses Organization: http://www.nurse.org.nz/user/file/322/Health%20literacy%20-%20a%20call%20to%20action%20v4%20Feb%202012.pdfPapalia , D. E., Duskin Feldman, R., & Martorell, G. (2012). Experiencing human development (12 ed.). New York: McGraw Hill. World Health Organization. (2013). The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Retrieved from World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/healthpromotion/conferences/previous/ottawa/en/