District Health Department No. 4 and the Northern Michigan Public Health Alliance are recognizing National Health Literacy Month in October.

The observance highlights the importance of making health information and services easier to understand and use, according to a community announcement.

Officials said low health literacy can make it harder to manage chronic conditions, understand prescriptions and use preventive services like vaccines and screenings. Improving health literacy leads to better outcomes, fewer hospital visits and healthier communities overall.

“Health literacy is about ensuring every person has the tools, confidence and support to understand what their health means to them and how to act on it,” Dr. Joshua Meyerson, medical director for District Health Department No.

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