"314 health. These decisions are made in places such as grocery and drug stores, workplaces, playgrounds, doctors' offices, clinics and h ospitals, and around the kitchen table. Obtaining, communicating, processing, and understanding health information and services are essential steps in making appropriate health decisions; however, research indicates that today's health information is prese nted in ways that are not usable by most adults. \"Limited health literacy\" occurs when people can't find and use the health information and services they need. • Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinel y available in our healthcare facilities, retail outlets, media and communities. • Without clear information and an understanding of the information's importance, people are more likely to skip necessary medical tests, end up in the emergency room more often , and have a harder time managing chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure. Who Does Limited Health Literacy Affect? Who is affected? People of all ages, races, incomes, and education levels can find it difficult to obtain, communicate, proce ss and understand health information and services. Literacy skills are only a part of health literacy. Even people with strong reading and writing skills can face health literacy challenges when - • They are not familiar with medical terms or how their bodie s work. • They have to interpret or calculate numbers or risks that could have immediate effects on their health and safety. • They are voting on a critical local issue affecting the community's health and are relying on unfamiliar technical information. • They are diagnosed with a serious illness and are scared or confused. They have health conditions that require complicated self - care. Health Promotion and Self Care Ideally we adopt behaviors and practices that promote health and prevent chronic disease. Throug h education and health promotion we learn behaviors and practices to manage our own basic health care. Health promotion involves education, policy, and support that helps us to make health choices and promote positive behavior and self - care. Self - care and health promotion involve the following: • health prevention practices, which help limit our need for formal interventions; we manage minor health concerns informally using self - care. • primary prevention such as brushing our teeth, breast and testicular self e xam, vaccinations, etc. • managing uncomplicated injuries or illnesses with self diagnosis and treatment • using home remedies and OTC drugs. Self Care versus Formal Care"