The world is slowly winning its battle against COVID-19. However, there’s still one silent epidemic America must conquer — low health literacy.
Talya Miron-Shatz, a health researcher and author, shared that health literacy is poor among approximately 90 million individuals in the United States.
This is alarming since accurate information are now readily available online. But perhaps, people might not know which websites to check for accurate health information.
To solve this, health professionals have started using a free QR code generator.
How, you ask?
They can find reliable health sources and easily embed them in a QR code.
People will then scan it using their smartphones, and in seconds, health information is flashed right on their screens.
Here are some examples on how QR codes can improve the world’s health literacy:
Route to official websites
Health bureaus can use QR codes for their campaigns to raise awareness of health literacy. They can easily embed their official website in the code.
People who scan the code will access accurate health facts and practices from accredited sources.
This innovative QR code use will improve people’s health literacy and combat false or superstitious health-related beliefs.
Instructional videos
A video QR code is an excellent way to provide health information since most people now prefer to watch than read.
In the UK, a team of health workers by Sarah Lewis came up with using QR codes on posters with a National Health Service video showing proper inhaler techniques.
The idea was well-received by both health professionals and the general public.
It even caught the attention of the Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists (ARNS), which now supports making the posters.
Elaborate slideshows
Health advocates can use a file QR code as part of their efforts to promote health literacy, especially in online spaces.
They can embed slideshows and presentations that explain why self-medication is not advised, or why it’s important to limit fat and cholesterol intake.
Catchy infographics
Infographics are a great tool for information or awareness drives. People can learn a lot from a visually engaging medium.
Hospitals that plan to create infographics on proper health regimens such as balanced diets can then embed these within a JPEG QR code.
Once people scan the code, they can either read it on the spot or download it for later reading.
Direct users to download a health app
Did you know that health monitoring apps now exist? Some of these even work with health gadgets such as smartwatches.
There is an app for almost every health-related thing: sleep cycle, calorie count, period tracking for women, and so on.
There’s even an app for mental health that helps people with anxieties, stress, and depression.
Health professionals can then promote these apps using an app store QR code so that people can be more mindful of their physical and mental wellbeing.
App store QR codes will route scanning users to the app marketplace supported by their smartphone’s operating system — Google Play Store for Android and Apple App Store for iOS.
Provide detailed explanations
Some folks still like it old school and prefer to read long-form articles. A PDF QR code is the right tool for these types of longer text files, in order to promote health literacy for a certain demographic.
Medical practitioners can use this QR code to embed research papers and other accurate health resources to enlighten them about a certain drug, and/or diagnosis.
QR codes are the leading tool for information sharing today.
Their convenience and accessibility make them the perfect tool for spreading awareness and information on health and wellbeing in the digital age.
With QR codes, health professionals can control the information they provide the public. This technology will greatly contribute to fighting the spread of misinformation, especially with regards to health.
