Introduction Health care issues are quite critical. In fact, they intensify when poor policies are formulated to curb them. Several issues arise in hospitals. These occur because hospitals bring together people from various cultures and disciplines. Leadership is therefore essential to health care settings in fostering unity and purpose. This ensures that everyone works for the benefit of the patient. Moreover, it harnesses harmony and concurrence between all stakeholders. The article singles out one common issue in healthcare settings all over the world. Health literacy is a very significant issue in healthcare settings. The article talks about poor health literacy, which affects most Americans (Borkowski, 2009, p. 55). The issue The article gives an example of an elderly woman who was sent home from the hospital with discharge instructions. However, she could not understand the warning signs indicated in the discharge form. This complicated her illness as she developed a life threatening infection. If she had followed the instructions, the complications would not have worsened. The article also talks of a man who is so perplexed at the intake form in the hospital that he decides to give a negative answer to all questions. This is because he does not understand the questions asked. Moreover, the article continues by mentioning a mother who perforates her baby’s eardrum out of misinterpretation of the doctor’s instructions concerning administration of drugs. This results in instant perforation of the baby’s eardrum. All these examples provided by patient advocates or health care workers points to a fundamental issue in health care service. In fact, this is an under-recognized issue in medicine that amounts to huge repercussions. Moreover, many patients have lost their lives because of misunderstanding discharge instructions (Boodman, 2011, p. 1). In essence, health literacy is very important to all stakeholders in health care settings. This is mainly because it ensures that patients follow the right instructions for their own safety. Moreover, it ensures that the right individuals give instructions to patients and various health care workers. It is of essence to note that health care workers as well as patients come from different backgrounds. This brings about cultural barriers that affect health literacy. For instance, according to the article, only about 36% of American adults can deal with health materials effectively. In fact, they possess basic skills as well as below basic skills for dealing with such materials. This makes more people culpable to health literary associated risks. It is therefore very essential that health care officials as well as leaders handle this menace in the best manner practicable. It is also necessary to note that patients handle numerous chronic diseases that make it difficult for them to follow instructions effectively. This increases the chances of mistake from the literate bracket of Americans. In essence, health literacy is very significant and therefore requires participation form all departments involved. Moreover, the leadership in health care settings should ensure that factors influencing health care literacy are fostered to