| Abstract |
Health literacy is the degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand the basic health information and services they need to make appropriate health decisions. It represents a constellation of skills necessary for people to function effectively in the health care environment and act appropriately on health care information. These skills include the ability to interpret documents, read and write prose (print literacy), use quantitative information (numeracy), and speak and listen effectively (oral literacy). Low health literacy is a significant problem in the United States. In 2003, approximately 80 million adults in the United States (36 percent) had limited health literacy. Rates of limited health literacy in certain population subgroups were higher. For instance, rates were higher among the elderly, minorities, individuals who have not completed high school, adults who spoke a language other than English before starting school, and people living in poverty. Highlighting the health impact of low health literacy, a 2004 systematic evidence review found a relationship between low health literacy and poor health outcomes. Specifically, health literacy (measured by reading skills) was associated with health-related knowledge and comprehension, hospitalization rates, global health measures, and some chronic diseases. Given the burden of low health literacy and the potential to reduce poor outcomes using novel interventions to address it, several national organizations have called for action. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy. Additionally, in recent years, several national organizations and agencies, including the Institute of Medicine, American Medical Association, National Institutes of Health, and HHS (in Healthy People 2010), have promoted health literacy as a research priority. |
