title: Health Literacy and Health-Related Quality of Life Among a Population-Based Sample of Cancer Patients.
abstract: Health-related quality of life is an important outcome in cancer care. A few studies indicate that health literacy influences cancer patients' health-related quality of life, but additional investigation is needed. The authors examined the relation between health literacy and health-related quality of life among cancer patients. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with cancer patients in Wisconsin during 2006-2007. Data on sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, health-related quality of life, and health literacy were obtained from the state's cancer registry and a mailed questionnaire. Regression analyses were used to characterize the association between health-related quality of life and health literacy. The study sample included 1,841 adults, newly diagnosed with lung, breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer in 2004 (response rate = 68%). Health-related quality of life was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. Adjusting for confounders, higher health literacy was associated with greater health-related quality of life (p < .0001). Controlling for covariates, we found significant differences between those in the highest and lowest health literacy categories (p < .0001) and in the physical (p < .0001), functional (p < .0001), emotional (p < .0001), and social (p = .0007) well-being subscales. These associations exceeded the minimally important difference threshold for overall health-related quality of life and functional well-being. Health literacy is positively and independently associated with health-related quality of life among cancer patients. These findings support adoption of health literacy best practices by cancer care systems.
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine and Public Health , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.|b Department of Emergency Medicine , Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Julie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Halverson
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine and Public Health , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Ana P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Martinez-Donate
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine and Public Health , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palta
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine and Public Health , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Ticiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine and Public Health , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lubner
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine and Public Health , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine and Public Health , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaaf Strickland
authors.affiliation: c Department of Family Medicine , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: a School of Medicine and Public Health , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trentham-Dietz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D014922:Wisconsin