Social determinants of health literacy: a cross-sectional exploratory study

Abstract

Despite the importance of health literacy to health-promoting behaviors, few studies have assessed the social determinants of health literacy in a random sample of individuals from the USA. The study evaluated the association of sociodemographic factors with individual health literacy levels. This cross-sectional web-based observational study utilized the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), a multidimensional instrument measuring nine areas of literacy. Multivariate regression results revealed several factors associated with HLQ scores such as self-rated health rating, frequency of visits to healthcare providers, smoking, gender and rural versus urban residence. Low health literacy was associated with lower self-rated overall health and with less frequent visits to healthcare providers. Males scored higher on engaging with health providers, navigating, understanding the health system and understanding health information well enough to know what to do. These findings can guide healthcare professionals to focus on individuals from groups having lower health literacy scores to promote healthy behaviors.

Keywords: HLQ; health literacy; health promotion; social determinants.