Cancer control research and literacy

Low literacy may be an important predictor of increased cancer risk and poo r participation in cancer control programs. Results of the National Adult L iteracy Survey indicate that about 90 million individuals, slightly less th an half of the U.S. adult population, demonstrate low or limited literacy s kills. In contrast, the average health education brochure, pamphlet, or ins truction sheet requires a 10th-grade or higher level of reading ability to be understood. Guidelines exist for the development of move readable printe d materials; studies have also found that nonprint approaches such as video education are viable alternatives to printed materials. Research on patien t populations indicates that educational approaches targeted to low-literac y groups can be effective in reaching individuals with cancer control infor mation. This review identifies the most important areas of needed research and makes recommendations for the development of a research agenda on cance r control and literacy.