Marina Serper|Rachel E. Patzer|Laura M. Curtis|Samuel G. Smith|Rachel O’Conor|David W. Baker|Michael S. Wolf
Health Literacy, Cognitive Ability, and Functional Health Status among Older Adults
Northwestern University|Emory University|Northwestern University|Northwestern University|University College London|Northwestern University|Northwestern University|Northwestern University
objective investigate whether previously noted associations health literacy functional health status might explained cognitive function data sourcesstudy setting health literacy cognition older adults litcog prospective study funded national institute aging data presented interviews conducted among 784 adults ages 5574 years receiving care academic general medicine clinic one four federally qualified health centers chicago 2008 2010 study design study participants completed structured inperson interviews administered trained research assistants data collection health literacy measured using test functional health literacy adults rapid estimate adult literacy medicine newest vital sign cognitive function assessed using measures longterm working memory processing speed reasoning verbal ability functional health assessed sf 36 physical health summary scale patient reported outcomes measurement information system short form subscales depression anxiety principal findings health literacy measures significantly correlated cognitive domains multivariable analyses inadequate health literacy associated worse physical health depressive symptoms adjusting cognitive abilities associations health literacy physical health depressive symptoms attenuated longer significant conclusions cognitive function explains significant proportion associations health literacy physical health depression among older adults interventions reduce literacy disparities health care minimize cognitive burden behaviors patients must adopt manage personal health