Jaime Andrés Aponte Ortiz's blog

Improved management of Zika virus in Puerto Rico through health literacy

Jaime Andrés Aponte Ortiz's picture

Health literacy refers to the capacity of an individual to obtain, process, and understand basic information regarding their health in order to make the most appropriate health-related decisions. This knowledge may define the individual’s concerns about preventive measures, treatment outcomes, relevant costs, or any other related issue.

The spread of the Zika virus and its consequences are a clear example of how, in some cases, the lack of literacy can define how we deal with these situations.  Examples that influence the decision-making capacity include but are not limited to the lack of information and educational tools and misinformation being communicated by unreliable sources.

The human papillomavirus: beyond cervical cancer

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The teenage years usually leave strong memories that persist for the rest of our lives. These are years of many changes, much growth, physical and emotional, and consequently, the loss of innocence and the beginning of responsibilities. For young people, one of these responsibilities, shared with their parents, is associated with the decision to be vaccinated or not against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Vaccination is recommended as a preventive measure against the possibility of developing cervical cancer later on, should they become infected with the virus .

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