Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 18, Issue 3, 2016, Pages 608-615

The Role of Health Literacy in Predicting Multiple Healthcare Outcomes Among Hispanics in a Nationally Representative Sample: A Comparative Analysis by English Proficiency Levels (Article)

Sarkar M.* , Asti L. , Nacion K.M. , Chisolm D.J.
  • a Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, United States
  • b College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
  • c Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, United States
  • d Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, United States, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States

Abstract

Health literacy (HL) research among Hispanics currently focuses on individuals with limited English proficiency but impacts of HL on healthcare outcomes among other English language proficiency groups is relatively unknown. Regression models assessed associations between HL and healthcare outcomes for Hispanics overall (n = 4013) and for proficiency level sub-populations using the 2007 Pew Hispanic Health Survey. Overall, Hispanics with adequate HL percieved US medical care as “excellent,” were more satisfied with their doctor’s help, and reported “excellent” overall health. In the sub-population analysis, “excellent” perception of US healthcare was associated with HL among the Spanish and English dominant groups. Among bilinguals, adequate HL was associated with decreased use of traditional medicine. The effect of adequate HL varied within English proficiency groups. HL research that focuses only on Spanish dominant speakers can exclude a substantial percentage of English proficient or bilingual populations who have low HL. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Health literacy Hispanic healthcare Latino/Hispanic English proficiency

Index Keywords

regression analysis human statistics and numerical data health status alternative medicine language ethnology Hispanic Americans interview Young Adult Humans Hispanic Adolescent Interviews as Topic male Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female socioeconomics cultural factor patient satisfaction adult utilization health literacy Complementary Therapies
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84928138366&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-015-0211-3&partnerID=40&md5=648390bfbc0c95c48280c05460c415b5
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-015-0211-3
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English