Ask For Health
The Ask for Health provides trusted health information for young people under 25
Ask for Health is designed to help you to better understand key health topic areas for young people and the health care system in NSW. It aims to help you have the knowledge, skills, motivation, and confidence to make decisions in everyday life concerning your health care.
Our vision is for all young people in NSW to have greater confidence in navigating the health system and their health by being equipped with the appropriate tools, education, and resources. We aim to see a health system which is inclusive of all young people and communities, that acknowledges and respects their various needs, leading to positive experiences with the health system.
What is health literacy?
Figuring out the health system can be difficult. Health information may be written in a way that is hard to understand. It can be hard to find the right information for you, and hard to know if it’s factual or not, due to the huge amount of information out there. It is especially difficult if you’re using the internet to answer your questions about health.
Improving your health literacy can help you find and understand the things you need when you need them. By knowing how to navigate, use and understand the health system, you can be an active partner in your health care and confidently manage your own health.
How do I build my health literacy?
You likely already have the skills you need to build up your health literacy, these include:
Language, literacy and numeracy skills – These skills help you understand health information. Health information is explained using written words, numbers and logic. These important life skills are taught in schools.
Critical analysis skills – the ability to analyse (judge) whether you can trust health information. This involves knowing where health information is coming from and whether it’s a trustworthy source. This involves working out which information is unbiased.
Communication skills – the ability to communicate your needs, questions and concerns with the health professional you are working with, and the ability to ask more questions if you need it.
Take control of your health
Developing your health literacy skills empowers you to take control of your health and your healthcare options. You will understand:
health information on the topic you would like to know
what health supports and services are available near you and online
what your legal rights are as a young person, such as the right to confidentiality and healthcare options.
You can decide for yourself what treatment is best for you. You are the expert in your life after all.
How was the Ask for Health website developed?
At each step of the development of this website, Youth Action has talked to young people, youth workers and health experts. We travelled around NSW, asking young people about the barriers they face accessing the health system. We also asked them about the health topics that are important to them and how they talk about health. Ask for Health has been built on the feedback and input from young people, youth workers and youth health professionals.
If you would like more information about the project, contact Youth Action.
