This document, one in a series of fact sheets published by the NWT Literacy Council, defines essential skills -- reading, document use, writing, numeracy, oral communication, thinking, working with others, computer use and lifelong learning – then offers examples of how those skills can be used to maintain and promote health.

The authors use a hypothetical family made up of mother, father, grandmother and three children. The role of numeracy in maintaining health is illustrated by with the example of the mother measuring out medicine for one of her children. The mother explaining to the child why the medicine must be taken is used as an example of the role of oral communication in promoting health.