title: Risks associated with low functional health literacy in an Australian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the level of functional health literacy (FHL) in an Australian population, and to explore the level of risk associated with level of FHL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, random population survey administered to 2824 South Australians aged>or=15 years, September-October 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Newest Vital Sign as a measure of FHL, self-reported general health status, and use of health services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  24% of respondents were at risk of limited FHL, and 21% had a high likelihood of inadequate FHL; this increased with age (>or=65 years, 50% v 25-44 years, 11%). In multiple logistic regression models, a high likelihood of inadequate FHL was significantly more common among those with lower education (left school<or=15 years of age, odds ratio [OR], 8.1; 95% CI, 4.8-13.6); with lower annual income (<$20 000, OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.3-7.4); who were born in countries other than Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland; and with poorer health status (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2). Inadequate FHL was significantly less common among females (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5-0.8). People with inadequate or at-risk FHL were significantly more likely to report having diabetes, cardiac disease or stroke, and significantly less likely to have recently attended a doctor. Respondents aged>or=65 years with inadequate FHL were more likely to have been admitted to hospital (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many Australians are likely to have limited health literacy, and this is a risk to effective health care delivery and health improvement across the community.
authors.affiliation: Health Observatory, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, and Rheumatology Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia. robert.adams@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Appleton
authors.forename: Catherine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Findlay
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult