Poor health literacy associated with poorer physical and men...( rsity of North Carolina School of Medic...),Health

rsity of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, write, "The study by Wolf and colleagues substantially expands our understanding of the relationship between low literacy and adverse outcomes. Patients with low literacy were also more likely to report having diabetes mellitus and heart failure but were not more likely to have asthma, cancer, or coronary artery disease. The relationship between literacy and the prevalence of chronic diseases has not been previously reported in such detail, to our knowledge. The finding of a higher prevalence of certain chronic conditions among people with low literacy is important because it raises the question about the role of literacy in the development of chronic conditions, rather than the common notion that literacy is most important once one develops a health problem. we can theorize that low literacy could have a causal role in their development."

"After the important study reported herein, we have more knowledge of the relationship between literacy and the prevalence of chronic disease, which opens the door for important inquiries about the reasons for these associations," the authors conclude. "Furthermore, these analyses offer the most rigorous estimates that we are aware of to date of the relationship between literacy and important patient-reported outcomes. As the evidence continues to build, we are more and more convinced that reading is fundamental, and one's health may depend on it."

(Arch Intern Med. 2005; 165: 1946-1952. Available pre-embargo to media at www.jamamedia.org.)

Editor's Note: Drs. DeWalt and Pignone have received grants and honoraria from Pfizer for work related to health literacy.

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Contact: Liz Crown
312-503-8928
JAMA and Archives Journals
26-Sep-2005

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