Phyllis Easton|Vikki Entwistle|Brian Williams
Health in the 'hidden population' of people with low literacy. A systematic review of the literature
NHS Tayside|King's College Hospital|University of Dundee|University of Dundee
much evidence association low functional health literacy poor health comes studies include people various cognitive difficulties speak dominant language society low functional health literacy among people likely evident spoken conversation however many people talk readily health issues problems using written information consequently difficulties may far less evident healthcare professionals creating hidden population whose functional health literacy problems different implications less likely recognised addressedwe aimed review published research investigate relationships low functional health literacy health working age adults converse dominant language difficulty written languagewe searched reviews electronic databases studies examined healthrelated outcomes among population interest systematically extracted data relating relationships low functional health literacy health status various possible mediators moderators implications literacy health developed narrative reviewtwentyfour studies met inclusion criteria lower functional health literacy population found associated worse health status may mediated difficulties accessing healthcare poorer selfmanagement health problems currently unclear whether extent difficulties mediated poorer knowledge stemming low functional health literacy variation functional health literacy measures comparisons make difficult compare study findings establish implications different literacy issues health outcomesthere evidence literature low functional health literacy associated poor health hidden population adults whose literacy difficulties may evident health care providers research needed help understand particular disadvantages faced population establish appropriate responses