Question

Health literacy is a growing problem in the United States. How does health literacy impact the ability to conduct epidemiological studies and to improve health?

Answer 1

Health Literacy:

• A Prescription to End Confusion, as "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions."
• It means more than being able to read pamphlets and successfully make appointments.

Epidemiological studies : It is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where) and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.

• Health disparities have been defined by the federal government as differences in health that occur by particular categories: gender, race or ethnicity, income and education, disability, living in a rural locality, or sexual orientation
• The extent of limited Health literacy by examining peer-reviewed studies that provide evidence about the epidemiology, health literacy skills using currently available measures in different demographic groups.
• Health literacy is dependent on individual and systemic factors: Communication skills of lay persons and professionals.