Understanding the Health Literacy of America
Authors:
- 1 January 2009
- journal article
- patient education-corner
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Orthopaedic Nursing
- Vol. 28 (1) , 27-32
Abstract
Health literacy refers to an individual's ability to understand healthcare information to make appropriate decisions (Ratzen & Parker, 2000). Healthcare professionals are obligated to make sure that patients understand information to maximize the benefits of healthcare. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) provides information on the literacy/health literacy levels of the U.S. adult population. The NAAL is the only large-scale survey of health literacy. The results of the NAAL provide information on literacy/health literacy and the relationship between background variables and literacy/health literacy. Multiple variables with potential for a relationship with literacy/health literacy were chosen for the NAAL including, but not limited to, education, language, race, gender, income, overall health, seeking health information, and health insurance.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- The Contribution of Health Literacy to Disparities in Self-Rated Health Status and Preventive Health Behaviors in Older AdultsThe Annals of Family Medicine, 2009