Chandra Y. Osborn|Kerri L. Cavanaugh|Kenneth A. Wallston|Ralph K. White|Russell L. Rothman
Diabetes Numeracy
Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt University|Meharry Medical College|Vanderbilt University
objective understanding reasons eliminating pervasive health disparities diabetes major research clinical health policy goal examined whether health literacy general numeracy diabetesrelated numeracy explain association african american race poor glycemic control a1c patients diabetes research design methods adults type 2 diabetes n 383 enrolled crosssectional study primary care diabetes clinics three medical centers data collected included following selfreported race health literacy general numeracy diabetesrelated numeracy a1c sociodemographic factors series structural equation models estimated explore interrelations variables test mediation results model 1 younger age r 021 p amplt 0001 insulin use r 027 p amplt 0001 greater years diabetes r 016 p amplt 001 african american race r 012 p amplt 001 associated poorer glycemic control model 2 diabetesrelated numeracy emerged strong predictor a1c r 046 p amplt 0001 reducing association african american poor glycemic control nonsignificance r 010 ns model 3 african american race older age associated lower diabetesrelated numeracy younger age insulin use years diabetes lower diabetesrelated numeracy associated poor glycemic control conclusions diabetesrelated numeracy reduced explanatory power african american race low diabetesrelated numeracy african american race significantly related poor glycemic control interventions address numeracy could help reduce racial disparities diabetes