• Hadii M Mamudu, Liang Wang, Amy M Poole, Cynthia J Blair, Mary Ann Littleton, Rob Gregory, Lynn Frierson, Carl Voigt, and Timir K Paul.
• From the College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, Karing Hearts Cardiology Services, Johnson City, Mended Hearts, Johnson City Chapter, Johnson City, and the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City.
• South. Med. J. 2020 Oct 1; 113 (10): 508-513.

ObjectiveThe central Appalachian region of the United States is disproportionately burdened with cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the level of literacy about CVD among residents has not been well studied. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors of CVD health literacy (HL) among a sample of patients/caregivers, providers/professionals, and community stakeholders.MethodsIn 2018, data were collected from central Appalachian residents in six states: Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. CVD HL status was determined by assessing correct responses to five interrelated questions about basic knowledge of CVD. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between potential factors and CVD HL status.ResultsOf the total respondents (N = 82), <50% correctly answered all 5 CVD HL questions. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that compared with respondents with advanced college degrees, those with a college degree or less were more likely to have low HL for "typical symptom of CVD," "physical exercise and CVD," "blood pressure and CVD," and "stress and CVD." In addition, compared with respondents younger than 50 years, those 50 years and older were 3.79 times more likely to have low HL for "physical exercise and CVD."ConclusionsThese results suggest the incorporation of CVD HL into CVD care and that educational attainments should be part of CVD policies and programs in the region.

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