Health literacy and chronic disease: a comparison of somatic and mental illness.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Health literacy (HL) is increasingly recognized as essential for preventing and managing chronic illness but also for strengthening health resources and skills. However, studies on HL of people with chronic illness that adopt a multidimensional approach encompassing the three HL domains health care, disease prevention, and health promotion, remain scarce. This study aims to (a) compare HL across these three domains in individuals with chronic somatic illness, chronic mental illness and those without any chronic illness, (b) to explore where difficulties in managing health-related information occur and how these differ between groups, and (c) to analyze the relationship between demographic, social, and psychological factors and HL.

Methods

Data from a quantitative

SUBMITTER: Griese L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11876042 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature