A paper released by the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) has shown ‘alarmingly low’ rates of health literacy in ethnically diverse communities in Victoria.

 

The An Investment Not an Expense: Enhancing Health Literacy in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities shows the financial cost associated with health literacy far outweighs the required investment.

 

EECV Deputy Chairperson, Eddie Micallef, said the report shows that the healthcare system is under strain when diverse communities did not receive the health literacy assistance they require.

 

“Low health literacy produces costs for all community members. It places increased pressure on our resources and our healthcare system, the effects of this are universal, so all Victorians have a stake in seeing this situation improve,” Mr Micallef said.’

 

The paper revealed only 33 per cent of people born overseas have adequate or good health literacy. This figure dropped to 27 per cent for those who arrived in Australia during the past five years.

 

Mr Micallef said people with low health literacy presented for treatment at crisis point, were unable to effectively manage their own health needs and had reduced quality of life.

 

“Non-English speaking patients are found to spend more time in hospital, be more likely to suffer adverse clinical reactions and have higher re-admission and diagnostic testing rates,” Mr Micallef said.

 

He called on the Victorian Government to respond to the paper’s recommendation with a robust and culturally competent healthcare strategy.

 

Attending the launch of the report, State Minister for Ageing David Davis said the Government remained dedicated to promoting health literacy in the population. 

 

"The Victorian Coalition Government recognises that improving the health literacy of Victorians is fundamental to better health outcomes for the population, and improves access to a range of programs to help maintain good health," Mr Davis said.

 

"We know that lower levels of health literacy among culturally and linguistically diverse communities lead to poorer health outcomes.

 

The full report can be found here