Health skills are the knowledge and behaviors we can acquire to improve our health and express our potential. Find out the complete classification and meaning.
- What are the Health Skills?
- From health literacy di the Health Skills
- Classification
- What is the difference between Healthcare Skills and Health Skills?
- Health Skills and Health Empowerment
1. What are the Health skills?
Health skills are the knowledge and skills that allow us to develop, protect, and improve all aspects of our health. They are concerned with the ability of a person to make knowledge-based decisions in everyday life and adopt habits and behaviors that positively affect their health and well-being.
But what is meant by health? The idea of health that is referred to is the holistic one, widely accepted in the scientific world and contained in the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO): health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not simply the absence of disease or infirmity. It is a vision that considers the mind, body, and soul parts of an interdependent system.
Health skills include some hard skills and some life skills. Hard skills are the set of knowledge of the various aspects of life that influence the health and well-being of an individual; they can be acquired through cognitive and theoretical learning and concern general guidelines useful to all individuals. Life skills are the individual abilities that allow to translate into practice effectively the knowledge acquired concerning psycho-social, emotional, and relational abilities.
2. From health literacy to the Health skills
The concepts of health literacy and Health skills are closely related. Health literacy can be considered a part of Health skills.
Health literacy is the ability to obtain and understand basic health information and navigate the maze of services needed to manage one’s health without getting lost. It is not just about reading and understanding medical information but also about the ability to interact with the health system, such as communicating effectively with health professionals.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Health literacy is a key determinant of public health. Individuals with high levels of health literacy tend to be more proactive in managing their health, better follow medical advice, and adopt healthy behaviors. In contrast, low healthliteracy can lead to misunderstandings, errors in following prescriptions, and ineffective management of chronic health conditions.
Health skills represent a step beyond health literacy (they include it). While health literacy provides the basis for understanding health information, Health skills encompass, among other things, the practical application of this knowledge in daily life. These skills include a set of knowledge and skills that enable people to develop and improve all aspects of their health by adopting appropriate and effective habits, behaviors, and attitudes. Health skills promote a holistic, responsible, and proactive approach to managing our health.
3. Classification
Health skills are, therefore, a set of knowledge and skillsthat can be acquired and developed.
In this regard, it is useful to clarify the three concepts.
– KNOWLEDGE. It is the set of information, theories, and concepts that a person has on a subject. Knowledge is what one knows, such as knowing the principles of a balanced diet.
– SKILLS. These refer to the ability to apply knowledge in practical situations. Skills are what you can do, such as preparing a healthy meal or properly monitoring your blood pressure.
– COMPETENCIES. Theyare an integrated set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that allows a person to effectively deal with complex situations and achieve specific goals. Competencies combine knowing (knowledge), knowing how to do (skills), and knowing how to be (attitudes). For example, the competence of managing a healthy diet combines knowledge of the right diet for oneself, how and where to acquire the ingredients, the ability to cook healthy meals, managing one’s emotions regarding food, and the attitude of behavioral self-management.
The concept of Health skills is closely linked to the distinction between hard skills and life skills, commonly used in training and personal development. Both Health skills are defined as hard Health skills and life Health skills.
Again, for clarity, it is useful to remember the difference between hard, soft, and life skills. In summary, hard skills are specific and quantifiable technical skills, mainly related to a particular industry or task; soft skills refer to interpersonal and behavioral skills, which influence collaboration and interactions with others; life skills are general skills needed to face everyday challenges and are relevant in both the personal and professional spheres.
Some soft skills can also be considered life skills, such as effective communication or the ability to resolve conflicts, because they concern relationships and are relevant in both personal and professional life.
3.1 Hard Health skills
The Hard Health skills are technical and specific, a set of knowledge generally learned through both formal and informal education and training (e.g., self-learning through online resources or collaborative projects).
Below is their classification:
1. Health literacy: the ability to read and understand health information, such as medical instructions, drug labels, and medical records. It also includes knowledge of how the health care system works, patient rights, and how to access and interact with health services and their professionals.
2. Digital Health skills: the ability to use digital tools, such as health apps, patient portals, and monitoring devices (e.g., smartwatches), to search for and access reliable and up-to-date health information.
3. Health monitoring: the ability to use devices such as blood glucose meters and apps to monitor vital signs, observe physical changes, and recognize symptoms. This includes regularly checking vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate) and interpreting the readings to identify warning signs (basically, health professionals then fully interpret and diagnose).
4. Emergency Management: basic knowledge of how to respond to emergency situations, such as first aid techniques.
5. Healthy lifestyle & longevity knowledge: the set of basic knowledge about the general principles and rules for maintaining a healthy body and mind over time. In particular, the understanding that health and well-being depend, to varying degrees, on different areas of experience: breathing, sleep and rest, nutrition, physical movement, physical environment, mind and emotions, relationships, and sense of purpose. It also includes a basic understanding of how the human being works and the close connection between body, mind, and emotions.
Learn more about the areas of life that affect health and well-being >
3.2 Life Health skills
Life Health skills are psycho-emotional, behavioral, and relational skills that enable individuals to manage the challenges of daily life effectively.
Below is their classification:
1. Decision making: the ability to make informed and constructive decisions in various situations. Evaluating options and their consequences allows for healthy behaviors. It includes three other skills (problem-solving, creative thinking, and critical thinking) that are usually considered separately.
2. Self-awareness: knowing yourself and your strengths and weaknesses. It is fundamental for stress management, effective communication, and positive interpersonal relationships. Self-awareness includes different dimensions such as understanding influences, i.e. recognizing what drives our health choices (beliefs, culture, media, friends, family), and awareness of our own values and health goals.
3. Coping with emotions: the ability to recognize and manage one ‘s own emotions and those of others, using them as a guide for authentic and intentional choices. It includes accepting emotions, avoiding automatic reactions (e.g., emotional eating), and practicing self-compassion to build resilience and adopt healthier solutions.
4. Coping with stress: recognizing and managing stress and its impact on the body, emotions, and behaviors. It includes using strategies to restore emotional well-being (e.g., relaxation techniques) and modifying thoughts or environments that cause distress.
5. Effective communication: the ability to clearly express thoughts and feelings and to listen actively. Includes the use of “I” statements, refusal skills, and assertiveness. Enables you to positively influence your own and your community’s health.
6. Interpersonal skills: the ability to interact effectively with others by creating and maintaining meaningful relationships. Includes empathy and conflict resolution.
7. Behavioral self-management: the ability to set realistic and attainable health goals, organize time to integrate healthy habits, and apply behavior change techniques to maintain healthy lifestyles.
This last skill, behavioral self-management, is the most important one in improving one’s health. However, changing habits can be extremely difficult for many people. Habits are often ingrained in our daily routines and influenced by environmental, social, and psychological factors.
To overcome these challenges, it can be very helpful to turn to professionals such as a health coach who provides personalized support, helping people define clear goals, identify barriers to change, and develop practical strategies to overcome them. Additionally, a coach can offer ongoing support, monitor progress, and motivate the individual to persevere despite obstacles.
Find out here what Health Coaching is, how it works, and why it can be effective >
4. What is the difference between healthcare skills and Health skills?
For clarity, it is useful to distinguish between Health skills and Healthcare skills.
Healthcare Skills are a set of fundamental skills and knowledge for health professionals necessary to ensure quality, safe, and effective patient care. They include technical, clinical, interpersonal, and managerial skills.
Health skills are skills that everyone can develop to manage and improve their daily health and well-being. While HealthcareSkills are applied by health professionals, Health skills are practiced by all of us in the context of our daily lives.
5. Health skills and Health Empowerment
Health Empowerment is the process by which we acquire and progressively put into practice Health skills. It enables us to act in a conscious and informed way in our daily lives and lifestyles, with the aim of improving and protecting our health and well-being.
Of course, it requires commitment and, above all, motivation, as always happens when we want to improve anything in our lives. But it is a path within everyone’s reach. Indeed, it should be a fundamental part of a healthy and fulfilling adult life.
Read about health empowerment and how it can be integrated into everyday life >
In this journey, the help of a certified Health Coach can be very effective.
Learn more about who a Health Coach is and how they can help you >