Evan L. Busch|Christopher F. Martin|Darren A. DeWalt|Robert S. Sandler
Functional Health Literacy, Chemotherapy Decisions, and Outcomes among a Colorectal Cancer Cohort
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
backgroundfunctional health literacy essential selfmanagement chronic diseases preventive health behaviors patients cancer low level health literacy may greater risk poor care poor outcomes methodswe assessed health literacy using short test functional health literacy adults 347 participants colorectal cancer nested within prospective observational study system health care provider participant characteristics influencing cancer outcomes resultshaving adequate health literacy increased likelihood participants stage 34 disease received chemotherapy odds ratio 329 95 confidence interval 123880 effect cancer stage diagnosis vital status last observation postenrollment followup difference seen health literacy status regarding participant beliefs preferences chemotherapy among stage 34 disease participant roles deciding whether receive chemotherapy conclusionspatients lower levels health literacy less likely receive chemotherapy compared participants higher levels health literacy therefore clear communication related key health care decisions may lead fewer disparities due patients level health literacy