How to Raise Kids Who Can Advocate for Their Own Health
Recently, a popular trend of teens struggling to complete forms at the doctor’s office offered an amusing look at parenthood, but it also highlights a bigger issue. Only 12 percent of American adults are considered health literate. According to a 2020 research article, 57 percent of Black Americans have “limited health literacy,” compounding inequities of systemic barriers to care.
October is Health Literacy Month. Since your children may one day help make health decisions for you, now is a good time to help them build the skills they need to manage their health and eventually support others.
Start the Conversation at Home
Health literacy begins at home, not just during annual checkups. Studies show that kids whose parents have trouble with health literacy face more risks, like obesity and medication mistakes. The good news is that when families talk openly about health, children are more likely to ask questions, read labels and speak up if something seems off, according to Pfizer.
Start early by teaching young children the correct names for their body parts, how to describe pain and how bad it is, and how to talk about changes they notice. Practice at home by role-playing so your child can learn what to say if something hurts or if they feel confused at the doctor’s office. Remind them that any question about their health is important.
With teens, having honest talks and asking open-ended questions about mental and physical health can make conversations easier.
Let Children Speak For Themselves
Parents have to parent, but it’s helpful to let children participate in their appointments. Give them a chance to answer questions before you step in.
When filling out forms, let younger children write their name, birthday and address. Encourage older kids to complete the whole form and talk about their health experiences. Show them how to explain their symptoms and describe what feels different from normal.
Don’t Ignore Medication Safety
Medication safety is an important part of health literacy. The FDA suggests teaching kids about medicine in ways that fit their age. For young children, explain that they should never taste medicine. For older kids, help them read labels and understand how much to take. As they get older, teach them why they are taking a medicine, what side effects to look for, and why they should never take someone else’s medicine or share their own.
Teach Them What to Read
Remind your child that just because something is popular on TikTok does not mean it is true. Anyone can share health advice online. Teach your children to look for trustworthy health information by checking for government (.gov) and university (.edu) websites, looking for medical authors and finding scientific citations. Show them how to be wary of miracle-cure claims or information that uses dramatic language to get attention.
Raising health-literate kids doesn’t mean turning them into doctors, but giving them the tools to speak up, find answers, and make informed choices can give them irreplaceable skills they can use now and in the future.
