How does health literacy affect diabetes?

How does health literacy affect diabetes?

Inadequate health literacy was an independent predictor of poor glycemic control and was associated with a lower likelihood of achieving tight control. In addition, inadequate health literacy was associated with a higher prevalence of retinopathy and other self-reported complications of diabetes.

What tool is helpful for determining a patient’s health literacy?

Sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the NAAL is the nation’s most comprehensive measure of adult literacy. The Health Literacy Component of the NAAL introduces the first-ever national assessment of adults’ ability to use literacy skills with health-related materials and forms.

How can health literacy help type 2 diabetes?

In diabetes, health literacy is related to diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and self-care behaviors and glycemic control. Health literacy may also provide a better understanding of racial disparities observed in patients with diabetes.

How is health literacy defined?

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions.

How do you measure improved health literacy?

These measures include the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) and the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM). Researchers have used these measures to conduct studies that have shaped the field of health literacy.

How do you measure literacy skills?

Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) – Using CBM, which directly and repeatedly assesses targeted skills or content, you can identify your students’ abilities in reading fluency, comprehension, and reading words per minute (RWM).

What are some examples of health literacy?

Examples of personal health literacy include understanding prescription drug instructions, understanding doctor’s directions and consent forms, and the ability to navigate the complex healthcare system.

What areas of health literacy do you need to improve?

To have good health literacy, you need to have several skills, including: Basic math skills: Measuring medicines, understanding nutrition labels, calculating blood sugar levels, and keeping track of insurance copayments and deductibles all require basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Is there a literacy assessment tool for persons with diabetes?

Development and validation of a literacy assessment tool for persons with diabetes. Diabetes Educ, 27 (6):857-64. View reference Notes: To request a copy of this tool please follow the steps on the link provided.

What is health literacy and why is it important?

SUMMARY The exchange of complex health information among patients, providers, health organizations and the public is often described as health literacy. In patients with diabetes, low health literacy is common, associated with a lack of diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and self-care behaviors.

How common is low health literacy among patients with diabetes mellitus?

A low level of health literacy is common among patients with diabetes mellitus, with estimates ranging from 15 to 40% depending upon the population sampled [ 5 – 7 ]. Diverse patient populations and a variety of contexts of diabetes care have been examined to advance our understanding of the role of health literacy.

Does health literacy matter in diabetes self-management?

Many patients with low literacy skills can learn complex self-management protocols, provided they receive clear instructions. This article provides a literature review about health literacy related to diabetes self-management and gives nurses evidence-based tools they can use to help patients overcome health literacy or numeracy issues.