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Strengthening Critical Health Literacy for Health Information Appraisal: An Approach from Argumentation Theory

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  • Sara Rubinelli

    (Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
    Swiss Paraplegic Research, 6207 Nottwil, Switzerland)

  • Alexander Ort

    (Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland)

  • Claudia Zanini

    (Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
    Swiss Paraplegic Research, 6207 Nottwil, Switzerland)

  • Maddalena Fiordelli

    (Swiss Paraplegic Research, 6207 Nottwil, Switzerland
    Institute of Public Health, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland)

  • Nicola Diviani

    (Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
    Swiss Paraplegic Research, 6207 Nottwil, Switzerland)

Abstract

The overload of health information has been a major challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health authorities play a primary role in managing this information. However, individuals have to apply critical health literacy to evaluate it. The objective of this paper is to identify targets for strengthening critical health literacy by focusing on the field of argumentation theory. This paper is based on the textual analysis of instances of health information through the lens of argumentation theory. The results show that critical health literacy benefits from: (1) understanding the concept of argument and the supporting reasons, (2) identifying the main argument schemes, and (3) the knowledge and use of the main critical questions to check the soundness of arguments. This study operationalizes the main aspects of critical health literacy. It calls for specific educational and training initiatives in the field. Moreover, it argues in favor of broadening the current educational curricula to empower individuals to engage in informed and quality decision making. Strengthening individuals’ critical health literacy involves interventions to empower in argument evaluation. For this purpose, argumentation theory has analytical and normative frameworks that can be adapted within a lay-audience education concept.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Rubinelli & Alexander Ort & Claudia Zanini & Maddalena Fiordelli & Nicola Diviani, 2021. "Strengthening Critical Health Literacy for Health Information Appraisal: An Approach from Argumentation Theory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6764-:d:580914
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sara Rubinelli & Peter Schulz & Kent Nakamoto, 2009. "Health literacy beyond knowledge and behaviour: letting the patient be a patient," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(5), pages 307-311, October.
    2. Carmi, Elinor & Yates, Simeon J. & Lockley, Eleanor & Pawluczuk, Alicja, 2020. "Data citizenship: Rethinking data literacy in the age of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 9(2), pages 1-22.
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    Cited by:

    1. Loredana Covolo & Miriam Guana & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Laura Brunelli & Silvana Castaldi & Antonella De Donno & Alessandra Mereu & Marco Verani & Umberto Gelatti, 2022. "Exploring the Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior in a Sample of Italian Women: The “SEI Donna” Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Isolde Martina Busch & Michela Rimondini, 2021. "Empowering Patients and Supporting Health Care Providers—New Avenues for High Quality Care and Safety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-5, September.

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