BACKGROUND: With the growth in the popularity of the Internet, individuals' skills in finding and applying information about health issues [health literacy (HL)] are affecting their health behaviors. This study aimed to examine functional HL (FHL), critical HL (CHL), and hypertension knowledge (HK) among middle-aged Japanese adults. In addition, to measure health outcomes, we examined the relationship between HL, HK, and blood pressure (BP) level. METHODS: The study included middle-aged participants who received an annual health check-up at an urban clinic in Japan. FHL, CHL, and HK were assessed using structured questionnaires. In addition, BP was obtained from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: Participants included 139 women and 181 men with a mean age of 54.4 years (standard deviation = 0.69). Individuals with lower reading comprehension scores in FHL were more likely to have a history of hypertension (P = 0.003) and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.02). Individuals with lower CHL had significantly higher rates of current smoking (P = 0.03) and men with lower CHL had a significantly higher waist circumference (P = 0.03). There was a significant relationship between sex and HK (P = 0.03). Systolic BP in women with higher HL and HK was significantly lower than in men with higher FHL (P < 0.001), CHL (P = 0.01), and HK (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lower HL and HK were associated with a poor health status and BP level in middle-aged participants. Further research is needed to examine the role of health management in improving outcomes and to address disparities between individuals with higher and lower HL.
BACKGROUND: With the growth in the popularity of the Internet, individuals' skills in finding and applying information about health issues [health literacy (HL)] are affecting their health behaviors. This study aimed to examine functional HL (FHL), critical HL (CHL), and hypertension knowledge (HK) among middle-aged Japanese adults. In addition, to measure health outcomes, we examined the relationship between HL, HK, and blood pressure (BP) level. METHODS: The study included middle-aged participants who received an annual health check-up at an urban clinic in Japan. FHL, CHL, and HK were assessed using structured questionnaires. In addition, BP was obtained from the electronic medical record. RESULTS:Participants included 139 women and 181 men with a mean age of 54.4 years (standard deviation = 0.69). Individuals with lower reading comprehension scores in FHL were more likely to have a history of hypertension (P = 0.003) and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.02). Individuals with lower CHL had significantly higher rates of current smoking (P = 0.03) and men with lower CHL had a significantly higher waist circumference (P = 0.03). There was a significant relationship between sex and HK (P = 0.03). Systolic BP in women with higher HL and HK was significantly lower than in men with higher FHL (P < 0.001), CHL (P = 0.01), and HK (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lower HL and HK were associated with a poor health status and BP level in middle-aged participants. Further research is needed to examine the role of health management in improving outcomes and to address disparities between individuals with higher and lower HL.
Authors: Vishal N Rao; Stacey L Sheridan; Laura A Tuttle; Feng-Chang Lin; Daichi Shimbo; Keith M Diaz; Alan L Hinderliter; Anthony J Viera Journal: J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) Date: 2014-11-29 Impact factor: 3.738
Authors: Ana Célia Caetano de Souza; Thereza Maria Magalhaes Moreira; Edmar Souza de Oliveira; Anaíze Viana Bezerra de Menezes; Aline Maria Oliveira Loureiro; Camila Brasileiro de Araújo Silva; Jair Gomes Linard; Italo Lennon Sales de Almeida; Samuel Miranda Mattos; José Wicto Pereira Borges Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-11-16 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Lorraine S Wallace; Randell K Wexler; W Frederick Miser; Leon McDougle; J David Haddox Journal: J Pain Res Date: 2013-09-05 Impact factor: 3.133
Authors: David E Willens; Sunil Kripalani; Jonathan S Schildcrout; Courtney Cawthon; Ken Wallston; Lorraine C Mion; Corinne Davis; Iona Danciu; Russell L Rothman; Christianne L Roumie Journal: J Health Commun Date: 2013