THE RELATIONSHIP OF PATIENT READING-ABILITY TO SELF-REPORTED HEALTH AND USE OF HEALTH-SERVICES

Objectives. This study examined the relationship of functional health literacy to self-reported health and use of health services. Methods. Patients presenting to two large, urban public hospitals in Atlanta, G a. and Torrance, Calif. were administered a health literacy test about their overall health and use of health care services during the 3 mon ths preceding their visit. Results. Patients with inadequate functiona l health literacy were more likely than patients with adequate literac y to report their health as poor. Number of years of school completed was less strongly associated with self-reported health. Literacy was n ot related to regular source of care or physician visits, but patients in Atlanta with inadequate literacy were more likely than patients wi th adequate literacy to report a hospitalization in the previous year. Conclusions. Low literacy is strongly associated with self-reported p oor health and is more closely associated with self-reported health th an number of years of school completed.