Health literacy barrier identification: which statement indicates barrier?

• A. I often read materials slowly and take notes
• B. I don't like to read; I just tell me what I need to know
• C. I ask questions to clarify and summarize
• D. I use simple language and ask for examples

Answer: (B)

Health literacy barriers show up when a person avoids engaging with written information and relies on being told what to do or know. The statement “I don’t like to read; I just tell me what I need to know” signals this barrier by highlighting a reluctance to read and a preference for receiving only targeted instructions rather than actively engaging with materials. That kind of avoidance can lead to missing important details, misunderstandings, and difficulty applying information in real-life health decisions.

By contrast, reading materials and taking notes (even if slow) reflect active engagement with information; asking questions to clarify and summarize shows a desire to ensure understanding; using simple language and asking for examples demonstrates efforts to make information clear and applicable. These are all behaviors that support effective health literacy.