Detecting Risk of Low Health Literacy in Disadvantaged Populations Using Area-based Measures.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Socio-economic status (SES) and low health literacy (LHL) are closely correlated. Both are directly associated with clinical and behavioral risk factors and healthcare outcomes. Learning healthcare systems are introducing small-area measures to address the challenges associated with maintaining patient-reported measures of SES and LHL. This study's purpose was to measure the association between two available census block measures associated with SES and LHL. Understanding the relationship can guide the identification of a multi-purpose area based measure for delivery system use.

Methods

A retrospective observational design was deployed using all US Census block groups in Utah. The principal dependent variable was a nationally-standardized health literacy score (

SUBMITTER: Knighton AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5994951 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature