Libraries and health literacy

Disparities in health care are a universal problem. Different subpopulations of our society are at different predictive risks of morbidity and have different potentials in seeking and receiving appropriate medical care. The parameters involved in health disparities include living standards, nutritional conditions, preventive medicine and diagnostics, medical treatment in a suitable nursing environment, and the degree of the people's health literacy. Indeed, the latter is a pivotal and urgent priority in promoting public health. This literature review focuses on libraries' crucial role in reducing health disparities by providing medical information and librarian guidance and enhancing health literacy. The local library, a crucial source of public medical information, serves any community or minority, offering activation, inclusion, and relief. The accessibility of health information in libraries provides a sense of reassurance and confidence to the public and empowers them with knowledge and understanding. The public libraries represent an information provider network with dense coverage of the whole country in urban and rural areas. They can deliver health literacy services everywhere. In addition, with its safety and inclusivity, the public library environment is where everyone can seek medical information and training in practical and theoretical terms of health conditions, seasonable medical issues, and personal and family care needs in a secure and welcomed environment.