Michael K. Paasche?Orlow|Ruth M. Parker|Julie A. Gazmararian|Lynn Nielsen-Bohlman|Rima Rudd
The prevalence of limited health literacy
Boston University|Emory University|Emory University|Harvard University
systematically review us studies examining prevalence limited health literacy synthesize findings evaluating demographic associations pooled analyseswe searched literature period 1963 january 2004 identified 2132 references related set specified search terms 134 articles published abstracts retrieved 85 met inclusion criteria 1 conducted united states 25 adults 2 addressed hypothesis related health care 3 identified measurement instrument 4 presented primary data authors extracted data compare studies population methods resultsthe 85 studies reviewed include data 31129 subjects report prevalence low health literacy 0 68 pooled analyses data reveal weighted prevalence low health literacy 26 95 confidence interval ci 22 29 marginal health literacy 20 95 ci 16 23 studies used either rapid estimate adult literacy medicine realm versions test functional health literacy adults tofhla prevalence low health literacy associated gender p38 measurement instrument p23 associated level education p02 ethnicity p0003 age p004a pooled analysis published reports health literacy cannot provide nationally representative prevalence estimate systematic review exhibits limited health literacy depicted medical literature prevalent consistently associated education ethnicity age essential simplify health services improve health education changes potential improve health americans address health disparities exist today