• Robert J Adams, Sarah L Appleton, Catherine L Hill, Mark Dodd, Christopher Findlay, and David H Wilson.
• Health Observatory, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, and Rheumatology Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia. robert.adams@adelaide.edu.au
• Med. J. Aust. 2009 Nov 16; 191 (10): 530-4.

ObjectiveTo measure the level of functional health literacy (FHL) in an Australian population, and to explore the level of risk associated with level of FHL.Design, Setting And ParticipantsCross-sectional, random population survey administered to 2824 South Australians aged>or=15 years, September-October 2008.Main Outcome MeasuresNewest Vital Sign as a measure of FHL, self-reported general health status, and use of health services.Results24% of respondents were at risk of limited FHL, and 21% had a high likelihood of inadequate FHL; this increased with age (>or=65 years, 50% v 25-44 years, 11%). In multiple logistic regression models, a high likelihood of inadequate FHL was significantly more common among those with lower education (left schoolor=65 years with inadequate FHL were more likely to have been admitted to hospital (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.5).ConclusionMany Australians are likely to have limited health literacy, and this is a risk to effective health care delivery and health improvement across the community.

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