Question: What is health literacy?

Answer:

Health Literacy is  "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions."  This includes how to navigate health care system and communicate with physicians, the communication between patients and providers.  Health literacy also includes decision-making skills and the ability to understand medical information and instructions.

Source: http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/hlthlit.html#definitions