One of the most important — yet often neglected — tools for Christians seeking to take care of their health and wellness comes in the form of health literacy, which refers to one’s ability to obtain, understand, and evaluate health-related information. This includes accessing that information from a variety of different sources and in different formats, to improve one’s health and wellness. Promoting health literacy within our community in an increasingly complex healthcare environment, therefore, is a worthy endeavor indeed!

As a board-certified physician practicing for over 25 years, and as Chief Medical Officer for Medi-Share, I have seen negative health impacts related to low levels of health literacy.  These negative consequences also have been described in medical research literature, including negative impacts on patient safety and satisfaction, quality of care, healthcare efficiency, resource utilization, and clinical outcomes.  Some examples of unfavorable clinical outcomes include increased hospital and ER visits, poorer overall health status, lower adherence to treatment regimens, and higher mortality rates.

More than just simply learning the names of medical conditions or procedures, health literacy means knowing how to access, comprehend, and use health information to make the best-informed healthcare decisions.  The Bible tells us in Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, so it is important for us as Christians to increase our health literacy to safeguard our physical, mental, and spiritual health.  In other words, we use health literacy to safeguard our whole person, so that we steward our bodies well and are ready for whatever calling God would have us step into.

This means that we are grateful to God for miraculous advancements in healthcare treatments and technologies!  We do recognize, however, the challenge of navigating a healthcare system which can seem increasingly complex and bewildering as technological advances increase. Learning and understanding the many facets of health and healthcare can feel overwhelming.  Thanks be to God that our modern age has given us more ways to educate ourselves on these matters than in any previous time in human history.

For the Christian looking to increase their health literacy to become better stewards of their own well-being, there are three key areas to focus on.

The Value of Communication

Sometimes the cause of poor health literacy arises out of a hesitancy to ask questions, due to not wanting to be embarrassed or to appear ignorant.  Perhaps there is a language, cultural, or technological barrier that needs to be overcome.  Even asking “How will this affect my daily life?” or “What are the alternatives?” can feel like an insurmountable challenge.  But patients need to have adequate understanding of what is being recommended for their health, and they should feel empowered to ask questions without fear.

Are we as Christians called to live by a spirit of fear?  By no means!  Every patient has a right to sufficient information and to the opportunity to communicate with their clinicians.  Most physicians, nurses, and pharmacists are happy to answer questions — they won’t know you have any concerns unless you speak up.

The Importance of Research

Fear thrives in ignorance, but through scientific and technological advancements, God has given more ways than ever before for humanity to research and understand His creation of the body. Thankfully, that means there are so many ways for patients to research and understand medical treatments and conditions through website searches and even by just a few clicks on a cellphone. A valuable emphasis during Health Literacy Month is for hospitals and providers to continue improving communication with patients through a variety of methods. These include online patient portals, easier to understand hospital discharge instructions, age and culturally appropriate written explanations and video demonstrations, and increased transparency of care plans, to make it easier for patients to educate themselves about their health.

Thanks be to God for all the many ways patients can do their own research in the modern age – these are historic opportunities, considering how health information was collected and passed down in nearly every previous generation. Resources that allow the average person to access medical information, help navigate complex healthcare systems, understand prescription instructions, and explain diagnoses and the workings of the body and mind are unprecedented! No longer is this access to information hidden away behind wealth or in libraries accessible only to a privileged few, which was the case just one or two centuries ago. This information, particularly in the past few decades, has become accessible to nearly everyone, and patients are encouraged to do online research and educate themselves through these new avenues.

While the Internet is not the best place to get situation-specific medical advice, it can be a helpful tool in researching recommended treatments and providers. Also, don’t be afraid to ask friends and reliable colleagues in your community about which providers they trust.  We are grateful to God for His provision of these amazing opportunities to increase our health literacy, and we should make every effort to take advantage of them when He has provided so many ways to learn and care for our bodies!

The Power of Prayer

Prayer to God for discernment and wisdom should be the foundational first step when Christians are making healthcare decisions. As James chapter 1 instructs us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (ESV). Ultimately, decisions should come from a recognition that our body is a gift to steward and that we as Christians cannot rely solely on our own strength to make decisions.

In matters of healthcare, Christians should pray for God’s guidance when choosing between providers, or when determining whether or not you should move forward with a recommended procedure.  Listen for that still small voice directing your path. If you don’t have peace about a decision, then keep researching, keep asking questions, and keep returning to the Lord in prayer until the way becomes clear.

As with many other areas of life, there is great personal responsibility involved in managing our health – so we must take action to improve our health literacy, and the opportunities for this abound. Trust God and ask for His wisdom, then take the next steps of communicating with your clinicians, educating yourself along the way, and continuously leaning on God’s guidance to make the best decisions for your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Article written by Ian Day, M.D. Dr. Day serves as Chief Medical Officer for Medi-Share, the foremost faith-based healthcare-sharing platform nationwide, with a membership base of more than 350,000 individuals. Medi-Share is committed to a wholistic approach to biblical wellness, helping members live healthy and holy lives.