Sources of news as a necessity for improving community health literacy about COVID-19

Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2020 Jun 17:34:63. doi: 10.34171/mjiri.34.63. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Background: In the 21st century, the world has become a global village and a disease outbreak in one part of the world can spread rapidly to other countries far away. Methods: The emergence of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) in China in January 2020 and its growing level of spread and severity between and within other countries as well as different continents has become a global emergency. Moreover, low health literacy results in more problems and continuation of the outbreak. Consequently, COVID-19 pandemic may produce new debates, discussions, and disturbing developments every day. In the meantime, cyberspace plays an important role in this case. Results: Improving people's health literacy can lead to increased potential of patients to make informed decisions, reduce health risks, increase disease prevention, and improve quality of life. Conclusion: The experience during COVID-19 pandemic has shown that health literacy plays an important role in preventing and controlling diseases and pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Health literacy; Sources of news.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • News