Health Literacy, Health Outcomes and Equity: A Trend Analysis Based on a Population Survey

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities Research
• Health Literacy Studies

Background:

• Health literacy is a persistent issue, disproportionately affecting minority populations.
• Population surveys like the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) are vital for understanding health disparities.
• Kansas's BRFSS incorporated health literacy questions in 2012, enabling trend analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine population health literacy levels and associated health trends in Kansas from 2012 to 2018.
• To identify demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with low health literacy.
• To assess changes in health status variables including healthcare coverage and chronic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Kansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2012 to 2018.
• Inclusion of health literacy questions in the survey to assess population-level understanding.
• Examination of health status variables: healthcare coverage, general health rating, chronic conditions, and time since last check-up.

Main Results:

• The percentage of individuals reporting low health literacy significantly decreased from 67% in 2012 to 51% in 2018.
• Low health literacy was most prevalent among young adults (18-24), multiracial individuals, those with lower education and income, and unemployed individuals.
• Improvements were observed in general health status, chronic condition management, and a slight increase in health insurance coverage.

Conclusions:

• Despite a decrease in low health literacy, it remains a significant public health concern requiring ongoing attention.
• Education and primary prevention strategies are essential for improving health literacy and mitigating health disparities.
• Findings from BRFSS surveys can inform public health and clinical workforces to better serve high-risk populations.