Roles of Education, Literacy, and Numeracy in Need for Health Information Among U.S. Adults

• In Event: 51.047 - Adult Education Populations: What Do We Know?

Abstract

Effective health information seeking requires proficient health literacy, which is to locate, understand and use health information. This study analyzed the nationally representative data of adults (age 50-plus; n = 2,570) from the 2012/2014 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies to examine the roles of education, health literacy (i.e., literacy and numeracy), and use of eight health information sources (e.g., books, internet, health professionals). Results from structural equation models showed that literacy and numeracy differentiated use of health information sources. Additionally, the effects of literacy and numeracy were further altered by perceived health status. It is critical to provide early health information education intervention to adults with lower literacy and numeracy before facing health issues.

Authors

• Takashi Yamashita, University of Maryland - Baltimore County

• Phyllis A. Cummins, Miami University

• Roberto Millar, University of Maryland - Baltimore County

• Shalini Sahoo, University of Maryland - Baltimore County

• Darren Liu, Des Moines University

• Anthony R Bardo, University of Kentucky