Health Literacy 101: The Most Overlooked Part of Women’s Wellness — and How to Talk to Your Provider About It

Ladies,

Most of us have been there — sitting on the exam table, still wearing the paper gown, nodding as our provider explains lab results or treatment options that sound more like a foreign language than a health plan. We smile, say “okay,” and leave with more questions than answers.

It’s not that we don’t care — it’s that we’ve been conditioned to comply, not communicate.

But understanding your health isn’t optional. It’s a form of self-respect — and one of the most powerful tools for prevention and longevity.

What Is Health Literacy?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022), health literacy is your ability to find, understand, and use information and services to make informed health decisions.

That includes understanding:

• What your test results mean

• When to ask for clarification

• How to compare treatment options

• Why follow-up appointments and screenings matter

The truth? Nearly 9 in 10 adults struggle to understand basic health information(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021). And when it comes to women, the stakes are even higher — because we often manage everyone’s health but our own.

Why Health Literacy Matters for Women

Women are more likely to live with chronic conditions — from thyroid disorders to hypertension — and are also more likely to experience medical gaslighting (when symptoms are dismissed or minimized).

A Journal of Women’s Health (2023) study found that women with higher health literacy are twice as likely to keep up with preventive screenings and early interventionsthan those with lower literacy.

Health literacy doesn’t mean memorizing every lab value — it means knowing what to ask and feeling confident to ask it.

How to Talk to Your Provider Like a Partner — Not a Passenger

1. Prepare Before You Walk In

Bring your top three concerns and a brief summary of your symptoms:

• When did they start?

• What makes them better or worse?

• How are they affecting your daily life?

Also, bring your medication and supplement list. It helps your provider see the full picture.

2. Ask Questions in Plain Language

If you don’t understand something, try these:

• “Can you explain that in a way I can write down or remember?”

• “What does this test result mean for me?”

• “What are the benefits, risks, and alternatives of this treatment?”

Providers are trained to educate — not judge. When you ask, you’re showing engagement, not ignorance.

3. Repeat Back What You Hear

Before leaving, summarize:

“So I’ll start this medication twice a day, recheck my labs in six weeks, and schedule my follow-up for next month — is that correct?”

This “teach-back” method, recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ, 2022), reduces errors and improves understanding.

4. Take Notes — Or Bring a Support Person

Appointments can move fast. Bring a trusted friend or relative, or use your phone’s notes app to record instructions. A second set of ears can catch what stress might make you miss.

5. Request Your Results — Every Time

Ask for a printed or digital copy of your labs, imaging, or notes.

Review them yourself. Highlight what’s high or low and write questions beside it.

Understanding your numbers transforms you from a passive patient into an active partner.

Health Literacy in Practice: The Confidence Connection

When you understand your labs, your symptoms, and your plan, your confidence changes.

You’re less likely to skip follow-ups, more likely to catch early warning signs, and better equipped to advocate for yourself when something feels “off.”

This isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about ownership.

You deserve to be more than compliant. You deserve to be confident.

🎀 A Word for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is both Health Literacy Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to talk about prevention through knowledge — not fear.

Here’s the truth:

Women with higher health literacy aretwice as likely to detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable (American Cancer Society, 2023).

That’s not coincidence — that’s empowerment.

So this month, don’t just wear pink — let’s talk prevention.

Five Evidence-Based Lifestyle Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention

1. Prioritize Routine Screenings

• Get your mammogram annually starting at age 40 (earlier if high-risk).

• Ask your provider about breast density and follow-up imaging.

• Perform monthly self-breast exams and know what’s normal for you.

Evidence: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF, 2024); American College of Radiology (2023).

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Research shows that excess body fat — especially after menopause — increases estrogen and insulin levels that can drive tumor growth.

Aim for 30 minutes of movement most days.

Evena 5–10% weight reductioncan lower breast cancer risk.

Evidence: American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR, 2024).

3. Eat for Hormone Balance

Choose foods that reduce inflammation and support detoxification:

• Load up on cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts).

• Swap processed meats for fish or legumes.

• Limit alcohol to less than one drink per day.

Evidence: World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF, 2023); Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024).

4. Manage Stress and Get Rest

Chronic stress and sleep deprivation can raise cortisol, weaken immunity, and increase inflammation.

Practice mindfulness, prayer, or deep breathing daily.

Aim for7–9 hours of restorative sleep.

Evidence: National Sleep Foundation (2023); Psychoneuroendocrinology (2022).

5. Advocate for Yourself

Ask your provider:

• “What is my breast cancer risk based on my history?”

• “Can I be referred for a genetic screening?”

• “What can I do now to reduce my risk?”

Health literacy turns every question into prevention.

Evidence: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ, 2024); Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI, 2023).

The Takeaway: Knowledge Is Preventive Power

Health literacy isn’t about perfection — it’s about participation.

When you understand your screenings, lifestyle choices, and body, you’re already practicing prevention.

This October, make a promise to yourself:

Don’t just wear pink — live informed, live empowered, live well and Make wellness your best accessory!

Your sister in wellness,

Lauren

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). What Is Health Literacy?

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Healthy People 2030: Health Literacy.

• Journal of Women’s Health. (2023). Association Between Health Literacy and Preventive Screening Behavior in Women.

• American Cancer Society. (2023). Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines.

• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). (2024). Breast Cancer Screening.

• World Cancer Research Fund (2023). Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Breast Cancer.

• American Institute for Cancer Research (2024). Lifestyle and Breast Cancer Prevention.

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2024). Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit.

• National Sleep Foundation (2023). Sleep Health and Chronic Disease.

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024). Nutrition and Breast Cancer Risk.