Functionally illiterate persons are severely impeded from participation in a complex society, without access to information needed to make intelligent decisions. Individuals with limited literacy skills must rely on others to provide that information. Approximately 50 percent of the nation s adults have reading skills below the 10th grade level. Over the years the definition of literacy has changed. Early surveys of illiteracy examined the most basic level of reading and writing.
More recent studies focus on functional illiteracy.
The issue is whether Americans have adequate reading skills to function in modern society. Impact of Illiteracy on Health Numerous studies note the effects of illiteracy on physical health. Adults with limited literacy encounter many problems using the health care system. Lack of literacy skills also places people outside the societal flow of health related information. Illiterate persons have difficulty with reading messages from magazine articles, posters in supermarkets or billboards about the value of vaccinations or flu shots.