This Movember, we’re highlighting an often-overlooked issue in men’s health: health literacy. Poor literacy can prevent men from understanding health information, completing forms, or communicating symptoms, making it harder to access care. Combined with feelings of invincibility, shame, or fear, low literacy can stop men from reaching out when they need help.
Research shows that low health literacy is linked to lower uptake of preventive care, more hospitalisations, higher mortality, and increased healthcare costs. Factors like age, income, education, and location affect men’s ability to navigate health information, while men with higher literacy are more likely to value preventive services and seek help early. These findings are highlighted in Understanding Health Literacy in Men: A Cross‑Sectional Survey (BMC Public Health, 2024) and reinforced in The Real Face of Men’s Health 2024 Australian Report (Movember Institute of Men’s Health). Both reports show that men with lower education, lower income, or living alone—particularly in rural areas—face a “double barrier”: limited access to services and limited literacy skills to use them effectively.
At Read Write Now, we support adults in overcoming some of these barriers by helping them improve reading and writing, make sense of information, and build confidence to advocate for themselves.
Take Brad, a 37-year-old learner who came to RWN with very low literacy. For over three years, he has steadily built his skills and confidence. “When I got a library card, my first book was about reptiles and amphibians. I also liked comic books. I started reading for an hour each session and slowly my reading and writing improved. Later I moved on to more challenging books, like Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough,” he recalls.
Through regular engagement and practice, Brad now confidently reads, writes, and shares his stories. His journey highlights the importance of overcoming the barrier of asking for help and how improving literacy can build confidence and essential life skills.
This Movember, let’s remember: supporting men’s health means breaking down both literacy and social barriers, so no one feels too ashamed, afraid, or unsure to ask for help.
