The mechanisms linking health literacy to behavior and health status

To examine the mechanisms linking health literacy to physical activity and self-reported health. 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....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of health behavior Vol. 35; no. 1; p. 118
Main Authors Osborn, Chandra Y, Paasche-Orlow, Michael K, Bailey, Stacy Cooper, Wolf, Michael S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.2011
Subjects
Female
Health Behavior
Health Literacy - statistics & numerical data
Health Status
Humans
Hypertension - psychology
Knowledge
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Psychological
Motor Activity
Self Efficacy
Self Report
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:To examine the mechanisms linking health literacy to physical activity and self-reported health. 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. 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). 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.
ISSN:1945-7359
DOI:10.5993/AJHB.35.1.11