Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Journal of Education and Community Health 2820-896X 5 1 2018 06 30 Health Literacy: A Key Component of Controlling Social Determinants of Health 1 3 10.21859/jech.5.1.1 EN Rahman Panahi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8551-7556 Gholamreza Ebrahimi Ali Ahmadi Journal Article 10.21859/jech.5.1.1 2018 04 12 2018 05 06 Today, Health Literacy (HL) is recognized as an important indicator of healthcare outcomes and costs, and the healthcare system's requirements, having high levels of HL. HL is widely considered as a determinant of health and a priority in the on the agenda of the Public Health Policy. Low HL is associated with a low level of health, wider inequalities and higher health costs. HL empowers people to play an active role in changing environments for influence on health. These broader HL concepts reflect the view that HL is not just a personal responsibility. Health systems, services, and health care sectors should provide the necessary facilities for improving HL at a wider level of the population.