MS Health I Instructional Guide

Disciplinary Literacy: Health

Disciplinary literacy is important because each discipline represents different cultures that: ● Have different purposes and approaches to knowledge ● Use different methods to gain information ● Depend on different kinds of evidence ● Write different kinds of text ● Read with those differences in mind

To promote well-being, prevent disease, and make informed decisions about physical, mental, and social emotional health based on scientific evidence and current health data.

Purpose

There are evidence based best practices, but health is individualized and context-dependent. Analysis of scientific studies, health data, epidemiological research, case studies, public health reports to answer questions about health outcomes, risk factors, prevention strategies, and related concerns.

Belief

Methods

Is the research peer-reviewed, statistically significant, and replicable? Are there conflicts of interests? Does it consider diverse populations?

Evidence

Health reports, research studies, patient education materials, public health guidelines, and health policy documents.

Texts

Everything should be read critically, evaluating the credibility of sources, the quality of evidence, potential bias, and the applicability of information to specific populations.

Approach to Reading

Population/demographics, risk factors, health outcomes, prevention strategies, treatment options, data/statistics, cause/effect, individual vs public health Health texts present evidence-based recommendations and interpretations of data. Health-specific terminology that may have technical meanings, evolving terms, or terms that carry social implications. Examples: overweight vs higher weight, substance abuse vs. substance use disorder, At-Risk populations vs Priority populations.

Text Characterizations

Vocabulary