Referendum opposition to fluoridation and health literacy: a cross-sectional analysis conducted in three large US cities.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To explore health literacy as a marker of voter confusion in order to understand the basis for public opposition to community water fluoridation. DESIGN:A cross-sectional study. SETTING:Conducted in three large US cities of San Antonio, Texas (602 voting precincts); Wichita, Kansas (171 voting precincts); and Portland, Oregon (132 voting precincts). Precinct-level voting data were compiled from community water fluoridation referendums conducted in San Antonio in 2002, Wichita in 2012 and Portland in 2013. PARTICIPANTS:Voter turnout expressed as a percentage of registered voters was 38% in San Antonio (n=2 92 811), 47% in Wichita (n=129 199) and 38% in Portland (n=164 301). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The dependent variable was the percentage of votes in favour of fluoridating drinking

SUBMITTER: Curiel JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6367990 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature