Anne Bo|Karina Friis|Richard H. Osborne|Helle Terkildsen Maindal
National indicators of health literacy: ability to understand health information and to engage actively with healthcare providers - a population-based survey among Danish adults
Aarhus University|Central Denmark Region|Deakin University|Aarhus University
health literacy multidimensional concept covering range cognitive social skills necessary participation health care knowledge health literacy levels general populations health literacy levels impacts social health inequity lacking primary aim study perform populationbased assessment dimensions health literacy related understanding health information engaging healthcare providers secondly aim examine associations socioeconomic characteristics dimensions health literacya populationbased survey conducted january april 2013 central denmark region postal invitations sent random sample 46354 individuals 25 years age two health literacy dimensions selected health literacy questionnaire hlq understanding health information well enough know 5 items ii ability actively engage health care providers 5 items response options ranged 1 difficult 4 easy investigated level perceived difficulty task associations two dimensions socioeconomic characteristicsa total 29473 636 responded survey 88 95 ci 8492 202 95 ci 196208 general population perceived health literacy tasks difficult difficult individual item level scale level mean rating understanding health information 310 95 ci 309310 307 95 ci 307308 ii engagement health care providers low levels two dimensions associated low income low education level living alone nondanish ethnicity associations sex age differed specific health literacy dimensionestimates two key dimensions health literacy general population available substantial proportion danish population perceives difficulties related understanding health information engaging healthcare providers study supports previous findings socioeconomic gradient health literacy new insight provided feasibility measuring health literacy importance optimising health systems