Ian M. Bennett|Jack Chen|Jaleh Soroui|Simon D. M. White
The Contribution of Health Literacy to Disparities in Self-Rated Health Status and Preventive Health Behaviors in Older Adults
University of Pennsylvania|Community Initiatives|American Institutes for Research|American Institutes for Research|United States Department of Education
purpose health literacy associated range poor healthrelated outcomesevidence health literacy contributes disparities health minimal based brief screening instruments limited ability assess health literacythe purpose study assess whether health literacy contributes mediation racialethnic educationrelated disparities selfrated health status preventive health behaviors among older adults methodswe undertook crosssectional study nationally representative sample 2668 us adults aged 65 years older 2003 national assessment adult literacymultiple regression analysis used assess evidence mediation resultsof older adults united states 29 reported fair poor health status 27 39 reported utilizing 3 recommended preventive health care services year preceding assessment infl uenza vaccination 27 mammography 34 dental checkup 39health literacy 4 health outcomes selfrated health status utilization 3 preventive health care services varied raceethnicity educational attainmentregression analyses indicated controlling potential confounders health literacy significantly mediated racialethnic educationrelated disparities selfrated health status receipt infl uenza vaccination educationrelated disparities receipt mammography dental careconclusions health literacy contributes disparities associated raceethnicity educational attainment selfrated health preventive health behaviors among older adultsinterventions addressing low health literacy may reduce disparities