Although the results from the first national survey of adult literacy in the United States were published in 1993, researchers and practitioners in public health and medicine are just recently grappling with the implications for our fields. Approximately half of US adults [47% to 51%] have limited or low functional literacy skills. We now know that adults with limited literacy skills struggle with directions for medications, do not understand appointment slips, and cannot comprehend many informed consent documents. Little work has been done, however, to examine the limitations posed by low literacy on people's ability to take action to support their health, engage in primary risk reduction activities, and participate in early screening. All of these activities are of interest to those of us in public health. We present an overview of health literacy research to date, discuss implications for health promotion and disease prevention activities (with special reference to oral health), and describe plans for a groundbreaking survey of national health literacy as part of Healthy People 2010.
Learning Objectives: Understand the body of health literacy research to Date and discuss its implications for disease prevention and health promotion.
Keywords: Literacy, Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.