Low Health Literacy
Authors: Nancy D. Berkman
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2011)

Letters6 December 2011Low Health LiteracyNancy D. Berkman, PhDNancy D. Berkman, PhDFrom RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-11-201112060-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Health literacy is a set of skills that people need to function effectively in the health care environment. These skills include reading and understanding text, locating information in documents, using numerical information (for example, measuring, counting, and ratios), and speaking and listening effectively. In our article, my colleagues and I examined the relationship between relative shortcomings in these skills (referred to as low health literacy) and poorer health outcomes.On the basis of our systematic review of 96 studies, we agree with Dr. Rudd that future studies including analytic frameworks that thoughtfully conceptualize the link between individuals' health ...References1. Berkman ND, Sheridan SL, Donahue KE, Halpern DJ, Viera A, Crotty K, et al. Health Literacy Interventions and Outcomes: An Updated Systematic Review. RTI International–University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center contract no. 290-2007-10056-I. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Evidence Report/Technology Assessment no. 199. Publication no. 11-E006. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2011. Google Scholar2. Sheridan SL, Halpern DJ, Viera AJ, Berkman ND, Donahue KE, Crotty K. Interventions for individuals with low health literacy: a systematic review. J Health Commun. 2011;16 Suppl 3 30-54. [PMID: 21951242] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Rosenfeld L, Rudd R, Emmons KM, Acevedo-García D, Martin L, Buka S. Beyond reading alone: the relationship between aural literacy and asthma management. Patient Educ Couns. 2011;82:110-6. [PMID: 20399060] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Martin LT, Schonlau M, Haas A, Derose KP, Rudd R, Loucks EB, et al. Literacy skills and calculated 10-year risk of coronary heart disease. J Gen Intern Med. 2011;26:45-50. [PMID: 20809155] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Nancy D. Berkman, PhDAffiliations: From RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/conflictFormServlet/M11-0110/ICMJE/Berkman-3918.pdf. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoLow Health Literacy and Health Outcomes: An Updated Systematic Review Nancy D. Berkman , Stacey L. Sheridan , Katrina E. Donahue , David J. Halpern , and Karen Crotty Low Health Literacy Rima E. Rudd Low Health Literacy Hema Padmanabhan Low Health Literacy Joy C. Burnette Low Health Literacy Lindsay Rosenfeld Metrics 6 December 2011Volume 155, Issue 11Page: 795KeywordsConflicts of interestDisclosureForecastingHealth careHealth information technologyLiteracyMedical conditionsSystematic reviews ePublished: 6 December 2011 Issue Published: 6 December 2011 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2011 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...