Shoou Yih D. Lee|Tzu I. Tsai|Yi Wen Tsai|Ken N. Kuo
Health literacy, health status, and healthcare utilization of Taiwanese adults: results from a national survey
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University|National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University|National Health Research Institutes
low health literacy considered worldwide health threat purpose study assess prevalence sociodemographic covariates low health literacy taiwanese adults investigate relationships health literacy health status health care utilizationa national survey 1493 adults conducted 2008 health literacy measured using mandarin health literacy scale health status measured based selfrated physical mental health health care utilization measured based selfreported outpatient clinic visits emergency room visits hospitalizationsapproximately thirty percent adults found low inadequate marginal health literacy tended older fewer years schooling lower household income reside less populated areas inadequate health literacy associated poorer mental health 057 95 ci 035091 association found health literacy health care utilization even adjusting covariateslow inadequate marginal health literacy prevalent taiwan high prevalence low health literacy necessarily indicative need interventions systematic efforts evaluate impact low health literacy health outcomes countries would help illuminate features health care delivery financing systems may mitigate adverse health effects low health literacy