Journal of health communication
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National priorities and recent federal initiatives have brought health literacy to the forefront in providing safe accessible care. Having valid and reliable health literacy measures is a critical factor in meeting patients' health literacy needs. In this study, the authors examined variation across three brief health literacy instruments in categorizing health literacy levels and identifying associated factors. ⋯ Findings suggest that these instruments measure health literacy differently and are likely conceptually different. As the use of health literacy screening gains momentum, alignment between instrument and intended purpose is essential; in some cases, multiple instruments may be appropriate. When selecting an instrument, one should consider style of administration, purpose for measure, and availability of time and resources.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Using health literacy and learning style preferences to optimize the delivery of health information.
Limited patient understanding of hypertension contributes to poor health outcomes. In 2 sequential randomized studies, the authors determined the impact of administering information tailored to health literacy level alone or in combination with preferred learning style on patients' understanding of hypertension. Patients with high blood pressure were recruited in an academic emergency department. ⋯ To measure learning, the authors compared scores on a hypertension assessment administered during the emergency department visit and 2 weeks after discharge. Participants who received materials tailored to both health literacy level and learning style preference showed greater gains in knowledge than did those receiving information customized for health literacy level only. This study demonstrates that personalizing health information to learning style preferences and literacy level improves patient understanding of hypertension.
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Public policies designed to dramatically raise the price of high-fat and high-sugar foods have received substantial attention from researchers and the media. Although econometric studies suggest that these policies could reduce obesity rates, they are likely to face substantial public opposition. ⋯ The authors examined associations between attribution beliefs and policy support to identify what types of scientific evidence and accompanying messages appear most likely to generate public support for price-raising policies. Results suggest that public health advocates and health communicators could benefit from an increased emphasis on advertising for unhealthy foods as a cause of obesity and the food industry's (manufacturers, advertisers, markets, and restaurants) responsibility for addressing the problem.
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The authors conducted 2 health literacy investigations in Cork, Ireland. Study 1 was undertaken in 5 community pharmacies and the outpatient department of 2 urban hospitals and assessed patients' health literacy skills using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS). Study 2 took place in 1 outpatient department and evaluated health literacy using the REALM and the short form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy.in Adults (S-TOFHLA). ⋯ Patients with limited health literacy were significantly more likely to report problems with using health materials received from a doctor or pharmacist. At minimum, 1 in 7 Irish adults were found to have limited health literacy, which may affect their ability to promote, protect, and manage health. As in the United States and in the United Kingdom, improving health literacy should be a public health objective for Ireland.