Health literacy is classified under which domain of social determinants of health?

The classification of health literacy under the domain of healthcare access is appropriate because health literacy directly impacts an individual's ability to access, understand, and utilize health-related information. Effective health literacy enables individuals to make informed decisions about their health, navigate the healthcare system, and understand health services available to them. This is fundamental for ensuring that they can attain the necessary care and resources, which is a core aspect of healthcare access.

In this context, health literacy serves as a critical factor influencing how patients engage with healthcare providers and the broader health system. When individuals possess strong health literacy, they are more likely to seek care when needed, adhere to treatment plans, and effectively communicate with healthcare professionals, all of which contribute to improved health outcomes.

The other domains listed, such as economic stability, social and community context, and neighborhood and built environment, focus on different aspects of the social determinants of health. Economic stability primarily addresses financial resources and employment, social and community context involves social networks and community engagement, while neighborhood and built environment consider factors like access to healthy foods and safe housing. None of these domains directly encompass the ability to evaluate health information and services, which is the essence of health literacy and its impact on healthcare access.