DSST Health and Human Development Practice Exam

The correct answer is health literacy, which refers to an individual's ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make informed health decisions. This skill enables people to effectively navigate the healthcare system, understand medical instructions, and engage in self-care, ultimately influencing their health outcomes positively.

Health literacy empowers individuals to take charge of their health by understanding risks, preventive measures, and treatment options. A person with high health literacy is likely to seek care proactively, adhere to treatment regimens, and make lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of disease. This proactive approach highlights the critical role that informed decision-making plays in determining health outcomes.

In contrast, an external locus of control refers to the belief that outcomes are largely determined by external factors rather than one's own actions, which might limit proactive health behavior. A health care proxy involves appointing someone to make decisions on one's behalf in a medical context, which does not equate to one's ability to influence personal health outcomes directly. Morbidity rate is a measure of disease frequency in a population, not an individual's capacity to make informed health choices.