title: The relationship of health numeracy to cancer screening.
abstract: Health numeracy is associated with increased understanding of cancer risk reduction information and improved control of chronic disease. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a primary care population to evaluate the effect of health numeracy on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. No association was found between health numeracy and cancer screening. However, at a baseline screening rate of 85%, increased knowledge (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.08) and decreased perceived barriers (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.92-0.95) were associated with increased screening rates. In conclusion, health numeracy was not predictive of cancer screening among a primary care population.
authors.affiliation: Center for Patient Care and Outcomes Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226-0509, USA. mschap@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Marilyn M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Schapira
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neuner
authors.forename: Kathlyn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gilligan
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Purushottam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control