[Concept analysis of health literacy]

Health literacy has risen to become one of the dominant issues in Taiwan's healthcare system today. Level of health literacy impacts upon public health outcomes. Nevertheless, healthcare professionals in Taiwan remain largely unfamiliar with the concept and importance of health literacy. This paper employs concept analysis as described by Walker & Avant to introduce and analyze the attributes, antecedents and consequences of health literacy. Defining attributes of health literacy include: 1. enabling an individual to function successfully in a healthcare context; 2. facilitating the obtaining, comprehending, communicating and evaluating of health information to make appropriate health decisions and conduct positive health practices; and 3. achieving a good health status. The antecedent of health literacy is literacy. Consequences of health literacy include differences in health outcomes such as health knowledge, use of healthcare services and health status. Hopefully, through concept analysis, findings can help promote nursing clinical practice and related research quality.