Dongshin University Launches Health Information Utilization Education Program for Local Residents

Dongshin University has launched a practical education program to improve health information literacy among residents of South Jeolla Province. Provided by Dongshin University

Dongshin University announced on February 16 that it has launched a practice-oriented education program to improve health information literacy (Health Literacy) among residents of South Jeolla Province.

The South Jeolla Co-Prosperity Cooperation Center of the RISE Project Group at Dongshin University recently established a model for enhancing health literacy tailored to regional characteristics, and visited three areas in South Jeolla Province - Hwasun, Hampyeong, and Gangjin - to provide customized education on the use of health information.

Last month, Dongshin University collaborated with the Hwasun County Branch of the South Jeolla Association for the Physically Disabled to run a "Health Information Utilization Education Program for People with Physical Disabilities in Hwasun County and Employees of Related Organizations," and with the Hampyeong County Family Center to offer "Education to Strengthen Competencies in Using Health Information." Most recently, it conducted health information literacy education for public officials in charge of integrated care support at Gangjin County Office.

The program is expected to reduce social costs arising from the failure to properly understand health information and to curb unnecessary medical expenses, while also contributing to improving the quality of life of the public and enhancing the efficiency of national health finances by alleviating the burden of essential medical care.

This initiative is being promoted based on the "Visiting Health Information Education and Counseling Program to Improve Local Residents' Ability to Understand Health Information," which was directly planned and managed by Professor Cheon Minwoo of the Department of Health Administration at Dongshin University. Reflecting the regional characteristics of South Jeolla Province, where the proportion of older adults is high and there are many health-vulnerable groups such as migrants and people with disabilities, differentiated, customized education and counseling programs were developed for each target group to increase effectiveness.

Cheon Giseon, head of the Hwasun County Branch of the South Jeolla Association for the Physically Disabled, said, "Health-vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, face great difficulties in managing their health because they have restricted access to information, so this education was all the more meaningful," adding, "Through cooperation with Dongshin University, we hope that socially disadvantaged people in the region will continuously improve their health literacy and enjoy healthier lives."

Kang Daeheung, head of the RISE Project Group at Dongshin University, said, "Health literacy is a key task that goes beyond simply understanding information; it determines the quality of life of local residents and the sustainability of the healthcare system," and added, "As a shared university that grows together with the region, we will continue to seek various ways to promote mutual growth with the local community and provide active support."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.