Raising Awareness on the Health Literacy Epidemic
Low health literacy is common in the United States of the twenty-first century. The ability to process and understand basic health information and function appropriately in today’s healthcare environment requires basic reading and mathematical skills.1, 2
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Raising Awareness on the Health Literacy Epidemic Michelle C. Duhaney
Low health literacy is common in the United States of the twenty-first century. The ability to process and under stand basic health information and function appropriately in today’s healthcare environment requires basic reading and mathematical skills.1, 2 These basic skills are often taken for granted by patients with adequate health literacy. It is likely that most physicians will encounter on a daily basis patients who cannot read or spell, which is a barrier to accurate medical diagnosis and optimal treatment.3 The magnitude of the association between inadequate health literacy and mortality has captured the attention of many. The nature of this problem is complex and effectively addressing it is important to America’s well-being.4 In a study of elderly patients enrolling in a Medicare-managed care plan, inadequate health literacy independently predicted all-cause mortality and death due to cardiovascular events. This study concluded that the crude mortality rate for patients with inadequate health literacy was relatively high at 39.4%.5 In an era that has seen breakthrough drug regimens and life-saving treatments the effect of low health literacy on the mortality rate is alarming.2, 5 Health literacy is therefore gaining momentum among researchers. Research over the last 15 years has attempted to assess the nature and scope of health literacy and the impact that low health literacy has on the delivery of quality healthcare in the United States3, 4 Several studies have shown that patients with inadequate health literacy have decreased knowledge and understanding about diseases, especially chronic
M. C. Duhaney Department of Family Medicine, Broward General Medical Centre, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA e-mail: [email protected]
diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.5, 6 Patients with inadequate health literacy also have decreased medication adherence, increased involvement in risky health behaviors, and a poor understanding of preventive health measures.6, 7 Low health literacy impacts more than the mortality rate; patients with inadequate health literacy have increased rates of hospitalization. If not appropriately addressed, America’s healthcare costs will continue to rise.6 Many researchers have documented the relationship between health literacy of adults in the United States and adverse health outcomes. A limited number of studies have been done, however, to assess the link between parental/caregiver health literacy and the health outcome of our nation’s children.5 In the few studies that have been documented, low parental health literacy has been linked to behaviors that negatively impact a child’s health.5 A patient’s level of education, age, race, ethnicity, and culture also impact the outcome of healthcare, contribute to patient compliance, and even affect healthcare costs.1, 8 It is not surprising, therefore, that by improving literacy, health outcomes will also improve. Many cognitive assessment tools are now available to
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