The mechanisms linking health literacy to behavior and health status.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the mechanisms linking health literacy to physical activity and self-reported health.


METHODS
From 2005-2007, patients (N = 330) with hypertension were recruited from safety net clinics. Pathanalytic models tested the pathways linking health literacy to physical activity and self-reported health.


RESULTS
There were significant paths from health literacy to knowledge (r = 0.22, P < 0.001), knowledge to self-efficacy (r = 0.13, P < 0.01), self-efficacy to physical activity (r = 0.17, P < 0.01), and physical activity to health status (r = 0.17, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Health education interventions should be literacy sensitive and aim to enhance patient health knowledge and self-efficacy to promote self-care behavior and desirable health outcomes.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-8300, USA. chandra.osborn@vanderbilt.edu
Chandra Y
CY
Osborn
Michael K
MK
Paasche-Orlow
Stacy Cooper
SC
Bailey
Michael S
MS
Wolf
D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009043:Motor Activity; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report