Aesoon Park1, Tanya L Eckert1, Michelle J Zaso1, Lori A J Scott-Sheldon2,3, Peter A Vanable4, Kate B Carey5, Craig K Ewart1, Michael P Carey6. 1. Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244. 2. Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School, Brown University. 3. Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, The Miriam Hospital, Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Coro Building, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906. 4. Syracuse University, Graduate School, 304 Lyman Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-1200. 5. Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Box G-S121-5, Providence, RI 02912. 6. Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health literacy is crucial to develop health-related knowledge, adopt healthy lifestyles, and benefit from health care services. However, research on the association between health literacy and adolescent health outcomes, particularly on their prospective associations, is rare. We assessed health literacy using 3 validated measures, and examined cross-sectional and prospective associations between health literacy and adolescent health behaviors and outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a short-term prospective study of 250 adolescents (mean age = 14 years; 57% female; 48% African American) who were entering or in the ninth grade in an urban school district. Health literacy was assessed by individual interviews at baseline, and health-related behaviors and outcomes were assessed by a paper-and-pencil survey at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Nearly half of the sample was reading at least 2 grades below expected levels. Lower baseline health literacy was associated with a lower self-rating of general health, unhealthier diet, heavier weight, and greater engagement in problem behaviors and sexual behaviors at baseline. Lower baseline health literacy also was associated with a greater increase in substance use over time. CONCLUSIONS: Results point to the pressing need to improve health literacy in urban high school students.
BACKGROUND: Health literacy is crucial to develop health-related knowledge, adopt healthy lifestyles, and benefit from health care services. However, research on the association between health literacy and adolescent health outcomes, particularly on their prospective associations, is rare. We assessed health literacy using 3 validated measures, and examined cross-sectional and prospective associations between health literacy and adolescent health behaviors and outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a short-term prospective study of 250 adolescents (mean age = 14 years; 57% female; 48% African American) who were entering or in the ninth grade in an urban school district. Health literacy was assessed by individual interviews at baseline, and health-related behaviors and outcomes were assessed by a paper-and-pencil survey at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Nearly half of the sample was reading at least 2 grades below expected levels. Lower baseline health literacy was associated with a lower self-rating of general health, unhealthier diet, heavier weight, and greater engagement in problem behaviors and sexual behaviors at baseline. Lower baseline health literacy also was associated with a greater increase in substance use over time. CONCLUSIONS: Results point to the pressing need to improve health literacy in urban high school students.
Authors: J D Fortenberry; M M McFarlane; M Hennessy; S S Bull; D M Grimley; J St Lawrence; B P Stoner; N VanDevanter Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2001-06 Impact factor: 3.519
Authors: Amery D Wu; Deborah L Begoray; Marjorie Macdonald; Joan Wharf Higgins; Jim Frankish; Brenda Kwan; Winny Fung; Irving Rootman Journal: Health Promot Int Date: 2010-05-13 Impact factor: 2.483
Authors: Terry C Davis; Michael S Wolf; Connie L Arnold; Robert S Byrd; Sandra W Long; Thomas Springer; Estela Kennen; Joseph A Bocchini Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Emma Pearce; Kate Jolly; Isobel Marion Harris; Ada Adriano; David Moore; Malcolm Price; Jonathan Ross Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2021-08-26 Impact factor: 3.519
Authors: Jaana M Kinnunen; Leena Paakkari; Arja H Rimpelä; Markus Kulmala; Matthias Richter; Mirte A G Kuipers; Anton E Kunst; Pirjo L Lindfors Journal: Eur J Public Health Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 3.367
Authors: Francesca Gallè; Patrizia Calella; Christian Napoli; Fabrizio Liguori; Eduardo Alfonso Parisi; Giovanni Battista Orsi; Giorgio Liguori; Giuliana Valerio Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-12 Impact factor: 3.390