Reducing Health Disparities: The Role of Health Literacy and Health Promotion

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the issue of health disparities to the fore. It is widely acknowledged that promoting social justice and equity is crucial in the post-COVID-19 era. Therefore, addressing health disparities has become an even more critical agenda for research and public health. The United Nations emphasized the importance of health literacy for achieving positive health outcomes. They issued a global mandate to advance health literacy for effective health promotion. During a public health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, having health literacy is crucial to understanding important public health measures and taking the necessary actions to safeguard public health and save lives. Over the past few decades, health literacy research has predominantly concentrated on individual health literacy, primarily using descriptive study designs. We need more evidence to intervene at various levels using diverse study designs and populations, including those in rural areas. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop new health promotion strategies for vulnerable groups due to the ongoing digital divide among certain segments of society, including older adults and those with limited resources and/or a limited education. We welcome novel research papers of varying study designs, reviews, case reports, and other types of publications, such as methodological papers, brief reports, and commentaries, that include the following keywords.

Prof. Dr. Hae-Ra Han
Guest Editor

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• health disparities
• health literacy
• health promotion
• community
• public health
• health systems
• social determinants of health
• under-resourced communities
• community engagement
• community action for health
• health equity

Title: Social Determinants of Health and Effects on Health Outcomes in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: Mitigation and Prevention through Health Literacy and Health Promotion;

Authors: Karim Amireh; Amgad N. Makaryus;

Affiliation: Nassau university medical center;