Literacy and health outcomes: a systematic review of the literature.

摘要: OBJECTIVE: To review the relationship between literacy and health outcomes. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing Allied Health (CINAHL), Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Public Affairs Service (PAIS), Industrial Labor Relations Review (ILLR), PsychInfo, Ageline from 1980 2003. STUDY SELECTION: included observational studies that reported original data, measured with any valid instrument, one or more Two abstractors reviewed each study for inclusion resolved disagreements by discussion. EXTRACTION: One reviewer abstracted data article into an evidence table; second checked entry. The whole team reconciled about information in tables. Both extractors independently completed 11-item quality scale article; scores were averaged give a final measure of quality. SYNTHESIS: 3,015 titles abstracts pulled 684 articles full review; 73 met criteria and, those, 44 addressed questions this report. Patients low had poorer outcomes, including knowledge, intermediate disease markers, measures morbidity, general status, use resources. generally 1.5 3 times likely experience given poor outcome. average was fair good. Most cross-sectional design; many failed address adequately confounding multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Low is associated several adverse Future research, using rigorous methods, will better define these relationships guide developers new interventions.